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.
Release Year
1999
Runtime
112 min
Audience Score
7.7
Genres
Drama
Story Snapshot
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.
Why This Page Helps
The Straight Story is a mind-bending pick with high complexity, which makes it a strong option when you want something that feels specific instead of generic.
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Movie FAQ
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Who should watch The Straight Story?
The Straight Story is best for viewers who want drama without having to browse blindly.
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The tone is best described as mind-bending, which is why this page links into more mood-based guides instead of leaving you with genre labels alone.
How complex is The Straight Story?
The Straight Story lands at high complexity, so it works both as a direct pick and as a springboard into deeper recommendation pages.
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