A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.
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.
The Straight Story (1999) is a drama and adventure film directed by David Lynch, released on October 15, 1999 with a runtime of 1h 52m. It stars Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz and Joseph A. Carpenter. Viewers rate it 7.7 out of 10 across 1,867 ratings.
Watch the official trailer for The Straight Story before you stream it.
Official trailers, teasers, clips and featurettes for The Straight Story.
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer
Featurette
Richard Farnsworth
as Alvin
Sissy Spacek
as Rose
Jane Galloway Heitz
as Dorothy
Joseph A. Carpenter
as Bud
Donald Wiegert
as Sig
Tracey Maloney
as Nurse
Dan Flannery
as Doctor Gibbons
Jennifer Edwards
as Brenda
Ed Grennan
as Pete
Jack Walsh
as Apple
Gil Pearson
as Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson
as Woman on Bus
Directed by David Lynch, written by John Roach and Mary Sweeney, produced by Neal Edelstein, Mary Sweeney and Alain Sarde.
Average viewer score of 7.7/10 from 1,867 ratings.
I 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 is…
Reviewed on February 21, 2016
Beautifully 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 from him.…
Reviewed on October 11, 2020
I’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” has…
Reviewed on January 6, 2026
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The Straight Story (1999) is available to stream on Disney Plus, and to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
The main cast of The Straight Story (1999) includes Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz, Joseph A. Carpenter and Donald Wiegert. The film was directed by David Lynch. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
The Straight Story was released on October 15, 1999 and runs for 1h 52m.
The Straight Story (1999) holds an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from 1,867 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama and adventure films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Yes. The official The Straight Story trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.
