THE STRAIGHT STORY review

Alrighty folks... Now I could be kitschy as hell and go on about transvestites and pink poodle dogs... but since this is a film with neither.... I won't.

This is the infamous G-rated Disney released David Lynch film.... THE STRAIGHT STORY.

The film stars Diamond Dick Farnsworth (that's Richard Farnsworth to ya kids) and folks... alongside Kevin Spacey's Lester from AMERICAN BEAUTY this is the best performance from an actor in a featured role this year.

Now there I sat on my typical fourth row of the Paramount Theater. My favorite seats there... Beyond hearing about the beauty that the cinematography in this film was to entrance it's audience with... I hadn't heard too much.

However, there is so much more. This movie doesn't drag... it moves at the speed of a riding lawnmower driven by one our greatest character actors getting his days and nights of center stage.

Now, back in March I had seen ABILENE with Ernest Borgnine in the role of the riding lawnmower pilot. Now... Personally I figured this film, THE STRAIGHT STORY, was getting more credit due solely to the attachment of David Lynch.... Nothing could be further from the truth.

ABILENE was a story... beginning, middle and end. THE STRAIGHT STORY is a lyrical journey on par with Ethan Edward's journey in John Ford's THE SEARCHERS. In that film John Wayne has something that he has to do. It's a journey he must complete. It's slow... years upon horseback. But nothing will impede his quest. In UNFORGIVEN, Clint Eastwood is a down and out retired Gunfighter. He's been domesticated.... his heart has been broken and ya know.... That's simply the way life can split you in two.

In THE STRAIGHT STORY, you hear the stories that weigh on this man's soul. What happened to put all that searching and distance in Farnsworth's stare here.

In SAVING PRIVATE RYAN... Spielberg attempts this a tad... the infamous, 'Have I earned it,' speech. It felt forced. But there is a scene between two WWII vets in a bar in this film... no hysterics... no foul language... just pure emotional delivery straight forward and deliverd with verve.

It is devastating. My heart trembled. Imagine Clint Eastwood's character in UNFORGIVEN.... with another 20 years of sorrow added to his life. The look on all those men's faces... burnt... etched into his corneas for all time. This was the horror left in his mind.

The story about his daughter played by Sissy Spacek. My god. Even now... some 7 days since seeing this film, I am not yet cured from the heart wrenching anquish that watching one child picking up a ball means in the mind of Spacek. It's haunting. And Farnsworth doesn't tell these stories weeping. He's lived the stories... he's told them before. He's made his peace with them. But don't mistake his emotion restraint for a lack of emotion.... it's there. A great big Hoover Dam load of tears piled up on the other side of those eyes. But he's proud... No need to cry over spilt milk right?

Well...

Man... I don't like writing about this movie. It conjures up memories so real and honest feeling regarding pain and loss. The story is filled with redemption and doing the right thing. I wouldn't say it's a happy film, there are smiles and laughs... just as there are tears and regrets.

But make no mistake about it... for my money with the exception of my favorite Lynch film, THE ELEPHANT MAN, I feel this is his next best. It's honest and real. I felt that Lynch entered into a period of shock cinema where he was merely trying to out-Lynch himself. As a result he became boring to me.

This isn't to say this film isn't without it's own Lynch quirks... the film is riddled with them. But it's in a realistic dose.

Both Farnsworth and Spacek should both be up for Oscar gold along with Lynch and his cinematographer on this film. Amazing work. Very personal and resonant.

Now... I want to discuss a very touch spoiler because I have what I consider an interesting view upon something that was not shown on screen, but it involves a couple of major plot points that you WILL NOT WANT TO HEAR PRIOR TO SEEING THIS FILM! SO.... BACK TO THE FRONT PAGE WITH YA!!!!

Alrighty.... your last chance...

Ok. Here I go...

In the film, we never hear what went on between Farnsworth and his brother (who's identity I will not spoil). It is my belief that his brother is who was babysitting for Sissy when the fire broke out.... that he had been drinking... that he caused the fire through negligence. That he added sorrow and hopelessness to a girl who was fragile enough as she was. So that long trek... that was his journey to remember his brother and to forgive and swallow his own pride. He needed a couple of months staring into the sky remembering his brother giggling... sighing... and remember that his brother... was after all was said and done... still his brother.

The movie is very zen... You must become one... not only with Richard Farnsworth... but his lawnmower. If you ever take a moment in life to watch the sun set or the tide come in... A storm rain itself out... If sitting at a campfire is a wonder and telling stories a joy. Then... perhaps you will find yourself as stunned by THE STRAIGHT STORY as I was...