In The Straight Story, David Lynch brings us the tale of 73 year old man who rides a John Deere lawnmower 350 miles from Iowa to Wisconsin to see his sick brother. This story is 'straight' in several ways. Firstly, the main man is Alvin Straight, played very convincingly by Richard Farnsworth. Secondly, Alvin rides his lawnmower (very slowly) along dead straight American roads. Thirdly, this film is straight up and down with no twists or hidden details. In fact, this movie is notable for its lack of distracting details or dialogue and makes good use of silence at times when there simply isn't anything that needs to be said.

You can take morals from this story as you choose, whether it be the importance of family, the stubbornness of senior citizens, or the value of the John Deere brand. However you look at it, I found this to be a moving and heartwarming experience, all the more remarkable for being based on true story.

A unique movie. Well worth seeing.