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| Movies,
Iain Silvester,
20 January 1999 |
Rating: F3
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Fans of David Lynch's work may be confounded by his latest film, as his trademark brand of weirdness is no where to be seen. Instead we have a depth of maturity on display, which belies a new sense of contentment within the director. After the nightmare visions of Twin Peaks and Lost Highway, Lynch appears to have lightened up considerably, showing a hitherto unseen level of restraint.
Based on a true story, adapted by Lynch's partner Mary Sweeney and John Roach, The Straight Story tells the tale of a 73 year old man's desire to patch up his relationship with his ailing brother and the 300 mile journey across mid western America to see him, using a petrol lawnmower as his mode of transport. Richard Farnsworth gives a gentle, moving performance as Alvin Straight, beautifully illustrating how a man near the end of his life understands the values of family and the restrictions of time, resolving to sort out whatever differences he and his brother had, while still able to.
While still an excellent piece of film making by one of America's greatest living directors, at times the pace was just a little too relaxed and slow, yet this is a device nescessary when dealing with a tale such as this, needing long, slow tracking shots and snail style pans to emphasis the atmosphere of unhurried haste.
Angelo Badalamenti's gentle scoring adds to this feeling of meditative calm and the legendary Freddie Francis lush photography, in particular the endless stretches of corn fields, is happily reminiscent of Terence Maliks Badlands.
The Straight Story is a warm-hearted view of the strength of the human spirit, yet maybe a tad too Mild At Heart for some fans.
UK rating:
U
US rating:
U
David Lynch1999, US
Richard Farnsworth , Sissy Spacek , Harry Dean Stanton , Jane Galloway Heitz and Everett McGill
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