The Straight Story
A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.
1999 • 112 min • Drama
Synopsis
Retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight learns one day that his estranged brother Lyle has suffered a severe stroke. 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.
Our family guide
Best from age 8- 100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
- 77 Audience · 1828 · 47%
An elderly man with failing health decides to reconcile with his estranged brother, embarking on an extraordinary journey across state lines—on his lawnmower. It's a quiet, reflective road trip about family, pride, and the passage of time.
- Violence & peril
- 0/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 1/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 1/10
Heads up
- Very slow pacing may not hold attention of younger children
- Themes of aging, though gentle, can be melancholy
What it models well
- Perseverance and determination
- Family reconciliation
- Kindness to strangers
- Reflecting on life choices
Talk about it after
- Why do you think Alvin waited so long to see his brother?
- What did Alvin learn from the people he met on his journey?
- How does Alvin show his love for his family?
- What does it mean to forgive someone, and why is it important?
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Straight Story. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Stream
- Disney Plus
- Criterion Channel
Disney Plus
Criterion ChannelRent
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
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Top billed cast
Director: David Lynch • Crew: John Roach, Mary Sweeney
Trailers & clips
Official 4K Restoration Trailer
Trailer
Official Trailer
David Lynch On THE STRAIGHT STORY
Reviewer notes
RecommendedI’ve seen loads of road movies over the years, but never one that involved an elderly gent travelling from Iowa to the adjacent Wisconsin driving his lawnmower! “Alvin” (Richard Farnsworth) is a curmudgeonly seventy-something whose health and mobility are failing and who lives with his daughter “Rose” (Sissy Spacek) - a lady without her own problems to seek, too! When he learns that his estranged brother “Lyle” ha...
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersBeautifully made film. It's a difficult one to describe. <em>'The Straight Story'</em> features a very touching, true life, story about Alvin Straight. It's a very simple premise but one that the film brings to life wonderfully. There's a crap tonne of heart, alongside some brilliant cinematography and a top notch score. Richard Farnsworth plays the role of Alvin expertly, it's an outstanding performance fro...
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersI want to thank you for your kindness to a stranger. An absolute delight. From director David Lynch, The Straight Story finds the famous purveyor of the oblique on wonderfully mellow form. Story finds a superb Richard Farnsworth as Alvin Straight, an old boy long in the tooth who sets off across America on his lawn mower to visit his estranged brother. You see, he doesn't have a driving licence, so lawn mower i...
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.7/10 (1,828)
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $10,000,000
- Box office
- $6,418,028
- IMDb
- tt0166896