The Straight Story ( * * * * )
A rated "G" Disney movie by David Lynch? The man who wrote the lines, "I'll fuck anything that moves" and "Fucking fuckers fuck"? Believe it or not...yes. My friend and I saw this first run in the theater, and instantly knew it to be Lynch, because the opening shot took an ice age. Meanwhile, kids drug to the movies by their idiot parents just because it was a G-rated Disney movie were going out of their minds with boredom, because there was nothing onscreen that remotely resembled a muppet. Okay, Everett McGill remotely resembles a muppet, but he doesn't show up till much later...
The Acting: Richard Farnsworth portrays Alvin Straight, a man trying to cross several states on his riding lawnmower to visit his brother, who has suffered a stroke. This was Farnsworth's last and greatest role. Sissy Spacek plays his mentally challenged daughter, who is bewildered by her father's decision. Harry Dean Stanton plays the brother, and does more with his few lines and expressions than most actors achieve in thier lifetimes.
The Story: Based on a true story, it is an adventure worthy of greek tragedy. Alvin can hardly walk without the use of dual walking sticks, much less be expected to make a multi-week trip alone, but that's exactly what he does--and all those he meets are touched by his mortality, sincerity, and integrity.
The Direction: Lynch has always been fascinated with the false veneer of small town life. Here he scratches the surface to find that there is something genuine and good to be found underneath. Farnsworth is not your classic hero. Frail (indeed, dying), stubborn, and perhaps pridefully foolish, he nevertheless takes a real hero's journey wrought with obstacles.
Overall: A truly great film, probably the last great film to be made about the World War II generation by members of that generation.
Tredekka Rules:
The Acting: Richard Farnsworth portrays Alvin Straight, a man trying to cross several states on his riding lawnmower to visit his brother, who has suffered a stroke. This was Farnsworth's last and greatest role. Sissy Spacek plays his mentally challenged daughter, who is bewildered by her father's decision. Harry Dean Stanton plays the brother, and does more with his few lines and expressions than most actors achieve in thier lifetimes.
The Story: Based on a true story, it is an adventure worthy of greek tragedy. Alvin can hardly walk without the use of dual walking sticks, much less be expected to make a multi-week trip alone, but that's exactly what he does--and all those he meets are touched by his mortality, sincerity, and integrity.
The Direction: Lynch has always been fascinated with the false veneer of small town life. Here he scratches the surface to find that there is something genuine and good to be found underneath. Farnsworth is not your classic hero. Frail (indeed, dying), stubborn, and perhaps pridefully foolish, he nevertheless takes a real hero's journey wrought with obstacles.
Overall: A truly great film, probably the last great film to be made about the World War II generation by members of that generation.
Tredekka Rules:
- Rule 6: Over The Top Acting Award--a full 5 stars goes to Farnsworth who delivers a performance that is real, funny, heartbreaking, and impossibly genuine. He was fucking robbed of the Oscar. Harry Dean Stanton is astonishingly subdued as the brother Lyle.
- Rule 9: Any David Lynch Movie Without Jack Nance, -1 star.
- Rule 28: The "For The Kids" Penalty--doesn't apply. Alvin smokes, drinks, says damn and hell. I love it. This is one time when the MPAA got their heads out of their asses and judged a movie fairly. Kids should see this movie. At home, I mean.
Tredekka Score: ( * * * * )
posted by Tredekka at 4:32 PM
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