The Straight Story
1999 · TMDB 7.7
Directed by David Lynch
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.
Why it matters
An elderly man with failing health drives a lawnmower across two states to reconcile with his estranged brother, a journey that is slow, painful, and without any external reward, the arrival itself is the victory.
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Released
- 1999-10-15
- Studio
- Les Films Alain Sarde
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- TMDB score
- 7.7
KinoChain appearances
Chains through this film
Where this title sits in a journey — and where cinema takes you next.
When Finishing Beats Winning
Position 8 of 8
An elderly man with failing health drives a lawnmower across two states to reconcile with his estranged brother, a journey that is slow, painful, and without any external reward, the arrival itself is the victory.
No Map. No Plan. Just Go
Position 6 of 8
An elderly man drives a lawnmower across two states to reconcile with his estranged brother, a gentle and deliberate road film about the limits of escape.
Connected films
Where this film leads
Linked through chains, directors and neighbouring cinema.
Gattaca
Previous in chain · When Finishing Beats Winning
Alice in the Cities
Previous in chain · No Map. No Plan. Just Go
The Last Movie
Next in chain · No Map. No Plan. Just Go
Rocky
Also in “When Finishing Beats Winning”
The Wrestler
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Cool Runnings
Also in “When Finishing Beats Winning”
Eddie the Eagle
Also in “When Finishing Beats Winning”
The Rookie
Also in “When Finishing Beats Winning”
The World's Fastest Indian
Also in “When Finishing Beats Winning”
American Honey
Also in “No Map. No Plan. Just Go”
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