We will be meeting Thursday, April 19th at 6:15pm and we will be watching:
The Straight Story
Directed by-David Lynch
The Straight Story is based on the true story of Alvin Straight's journey across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawnmower. Alvin (Richard Farnsworth) is an elderly World War II veteran who lives with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek), a kind woman with a mental disability. When he hears that this estranged brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke, Alvin makes up his mind to go visit him and hopefully make amends before he dies. But because Alvin's legs and eyes are too impaired for him to receive a driver's license, he hitches a trailer to his recently purchased thirty year-old John Deere 110 Lawn tractor and sets off on the 240 mile journey from Laurens, Iowa to Mount Zion, Wisconsin.
David Lynch's 8th feature film departs from his abstract and bizarre themes seen in previous films (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me) and instead offers a portrayal of the indomitable human spirit with a film filled with honesty, compassion and depth; a simple and pure portrait of the Midwest. That said, The Straight Story is not without it's odd characters but they seem right at home as Alvin encounters them one-by-one. You will not want to miss this wonderful film.
Here's the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OnsVDKjhpc
Lynch grew up in Iowa, believe it or not. That is why this movie is so good, he knew the territory.
ReplyDeleteI knew he was born in Missoula, Montana and that he moved all over the place but I wasn't aware he actually spent time in Iowa, that's very cool. His dad worked for the Department of Agriculture so it would make sense that he'd grown up around the rural lifestyle. I think that's why he understands and is able to capture small town life very well. That would also make sense why he started his Transcendental Meditation University in Iowa, thanks for the info!
ReplyDelete