The Straight Story
Retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. He then has the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.
Critics Sentiment
Alvin and Lyle sit together on porch gazing at stars
Alvin Straight found lying on his kitchen floor after falling
The film builds steadily from its quiet opening to the deeply moving reunion finale, with the war veteran scene providing a major emotional peak.
The Straight Story maintains consistently strong sentiment throughout, building from a modest opening through increasingly meaningful encounters to a universally praised finale. Critics appreciated Lynch's restraint and the film's authentic portrayal of American heartland values. The emotional journey mirrors Alvin's physical one, culminating in a deeply satisfying reconciliation that reviewers found genuinely moving rather than manipulative.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 36
Richard Farnsworth
Alvin
Sissy Spacek
Rose
Jane Galloway Heitz
Dorothy
Joseph A. Carpenter
Bud
Donald Wiegert
Sig
Tracey Maloney
Nurse
Dan Flannery
Doctor Gibbons
Jennifer Edwards
Brenda
Ed Grennan
Pete
Jack Walsh
Apple
Gil Pearson
Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson
Woman on Bus
Everett McGill
Tom the John Deere Dealer
Anastasia Webb
Crystal
Matt Guidry
Steve
Bill McCallum
Rat
Barbara E. Robertson
Deer Woman
James Cada
Danny Riordan
Sally Wingert
Darla Riordan
Barbara Kingsley
Janet Johnson
Crew
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