Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Straight Story Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 26, 2021

David Lynch's "The Straight Story" (1999) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with location managers Mark Har and Bob Medcraft; new program with editor John Thorne; new commentary recorded by critic Peter Tonguette; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Man on the road

How did the Academy members conclude that Kevin Spacey’s performance in American Beauty was more deserving of an Oscar statuette than Richard Farnsworth’s performance in The Straight Story? I am sorry, but they are not even comparable. Farnsworth actually isn’t doing a whole lot of performing before David Lynch’s camera because oftentimes it is beyond obvious that he really is in some serious pain. In fact, let’s just tell it as it is -- Farnsworth is slowly dying before the camera, and you don’t need a medical degree to figure out that he is running out of time. There is a short sequence in the second half of the film where he is somewhere in the middle of nowhere, sitting on a cheap chair before a small fire, having a smoke. It is a chilly but beautiful night. He looks up at the stars because at this particular moment his character is supposed to recall the good old days when he and his brother were still close. But there is a lot more happening here. Farnsworth actually savors his final moments of existence in the most undramatic manner imaginable because he has accepted that the inevitable end is near. Look at his tired eyes and you will realize that this is precisely what Lynch’s camera captures. Farnsworth had known for a while that he was terminally ill, but when he began working with Lynch, his condition had deteriorated so much that he knew that he had entered the final phase where he was essentially losing control of his body.

In the film, Farnsworth is Alvin Straight, an aging farmer who lives with his mentally disabled daughter, Rose (Sissy Spacek), in a very small town somewhere in Iowa. When he learns that his brother, Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton), whom he hasn’t seen or spoken to in ten years, has had a heart attack, he announces that he is going to see him. But this is easier said than done because Alvin can barely stand on his feet, does not see well, and Lyle is in Wisconsin. Unwilling to ask anyone to assist him, Alvin then makes a decision to drive his lawnmower attached to a trailer that would carry some personal belonging and the food he needs to survive the trip.

There isn’t another film like The Straight Story in Lynch’s body of work. Its narrative construction, tone, ambience, and of course, characters are quite simply incompatible with the director’s classic cinematic modus operandi. And yet, The Straight Story may very well be one of Lynch’s best films.

The magic happens for two very simple reasons. First, no one else but Farnsworth could have played the main protagonist. Farnsworth is Alvin, and his eyes and aged body do a lot more to tell Alvin’s story than his words do. You can’t direct this. You either have the right actor to film it or you don’t. Second, Lynch and his camera see the unique beauty of the Heartland as it is. It quite easily could have been spoiled if it was filmed like Hollywood usually imagines it, but in the film, it is entirely legit. The beauty of the Heartland isn’t defined only by nature or the different rhythm of life, the people that live there are an essential part of it as well.

When Angelo Badalamenti was approached with a request to create yet another soundtrack for Lynch, apparently his initial reaction was that The Straight Story was so different that he would have trouble relating to its characters. But the soundtrack that he delivered is yet another masterpiece. It has simple yet very beautiful themes that work perfectly in unison with the visuals from Heartland.

*Farnsworth passed away not too long after appearing in The Straight Story. In the film, he was the same age as the real Alvin Straight whose unusual journey is recreated in it.

The Straight Story Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p; transfer, The Straight Story arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The master that was used to source this release isn't new. (The back cover indicates that the release is sourced from a "restored 4K master", but this does not mean much). Indeed, it reveals some inconsistencies that I would typically expect to see from older masters that were prepared in a very particular way. For example, the daylight footage frequently exhibits overdone highlights that collapse native detail (see screencapture #7). Additionally, I noticed traces of light sharpening which tend to make the same daylight footage appear rather harsh as well (see screencaptures #24 and 25). Darker areas appear better balanced, but even there delineation and depth could be somewhat problematic. The good news is that overall the visuals still boast plenty of fine details and nuances, plus they remain rock solid. Colors are stable, but saturation and balance can be improved. There are no distracting large marks, debris, cuts, or other similar imperfections. So, while the current presentation is decent, I think that this film can and should have a much stronger organic appearance when viewed on Blu-ray. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Straight Story Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. I think that this is a solid lossless track that handles Angelo Badalamenti's score very well. However, there are a couple of areas where I felt that the sound should be even 'wider' and more immersive. However, I have to admit that it is only because I wanted it to behave like, or be a lot like, the more atmospheric score from Mulholland Drive, which has a very different vibe. The dialog is very clear, clean, stable, and easy to follow.

The Straight Story Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, critic Peter Tonguette shares plenty of interesting information about the production of The Straight Story and Disney's relationship with the film, the unusual nature of the project and David Lynch's direction, Richard Farnsworth's career and the real Alvin Straight, etc.

• Mark and Bob Tell It Straight - in this exclusive new program, location managers Mark Har and Bob Medcraft recall how the key locations that are seen in The Straight Story were selected and discuss the production process. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Straight and Narrow: Inside the Film - in this exclusive new program, John Thorne, co-editor of "Wrapped in Plastic", discusses David Lynch's business relationship with Mary Sweeney, the conception of The Straight Story, and its personality and style. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Far and Wide: Inside the Score - in this new program, film historian Daniel Schweiger discusses Angelo Badalamenti's contribution to the Straight Story and some of the particular ways in which the music complements the visuals. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Found Highway: The Lynchian Redemption of The Straight Story - a brand new visual essay by critic Ian Mantgani. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for The Straight Story. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

The Straight Story Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

David Lynch's most unusual film is an astonishing piece of Americana that should have earned its star, Richard Farnsworth, an Oscar statuette. I think that Farnsworth is magnificent in it, and I am convinced that most of the time he isn't even acting. In the United States, The Straight Story is owned by Disney -- how's this for an odd relationship -- so, barring a miracle, it is very unlikely that it would transition to Blu-ray. This recent release from Australian label Via Vision Entertainment might be your best chance to add a copy of The Straight Story to your library. The film looks decent on it and there is a good selection of exclusive new bonus features. The release is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.