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The Straight Story (G, 1999)

common sense media says

Great, but young kids may be bored and restless.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has no four-letter words or nudity, and there is nothing in the movie that is likely to cause offense or trauma. Still, it is not for most younger kids, who will be bored and restless.

Violence: Mild.
Sex: Reference to unwed pregnancy.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Most characters smoke, reference to past alcohol abuse.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Straight Story

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the essential decency of all of the characters in this movie, and the film's strong themes of the importance of family.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this seemingly simple story, 73 year old Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), sets off to visit his estranged brother, after hearing that he has had a stroke. Alvin uses two canes and can't see well enough to drive. So he hitches a trailer to his riding mower and sets off on a 300-mile journey from Iowa to Wisconsin, encountering along the six-week drive a range of people, landscapes, and adventures. On his journey, Alvin meets an engaging assortment of people, including a teen- age runaway, a team of bicyclists, twin repairmen, and a man who spent his career working for John Deere, and is unfailingly treated with kindness and dignity.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Don't let the G-rating and the Disney label mislead you - this is an adult movie in the old-fashioned sense of the word, meaning that its story and themes will most appeal to adults and some teens. It gets a G rating because it does not have any of the usual triggers for a PG or PG- 13 rating. Thoughtful middle- and high schoolers and adults will find a lot to appreciate and talk about.

Children who watch a lot of television and movies often develop what psychologists call the "mean world" syndrome. Based on what they learn about the adult world from the media, their estimates of the incidence of murder and corruption are distorted way out of proportion to reality. And our cautions about not talking to strangers contribute further to their sense that the world is a dangerous place. This movie is a nice antidote to that. Also, Richard speaks feelingly to people he meets about the importance of the bond between siblings. This is a point that is always worth raising to kids who think that there may never be a day when they will have more to talk to their brothers and sisters about than whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher.

Movie themes & details

Themes
adventures
Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: David Lynch
Cast: Jane Galloway Heitz, Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek
Genre: Drama
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: October 15, 1999
DVD release: November 7, 2000
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

i hate common ...
kid, 12 years old
3
 
OH MAN
what????? wt# why G is for 13+?????? g is supposed to be for all ages.
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FamilyValue
parent of and 6 , 12 , 16 , 17 year old
17
 
Language not appropriate for godly families
Hell used 4 times in the first 5 minutes. I thought G rated films were to be clean.
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Chrihddjason
kid, 12 years old
2
 
Wrong,
Movie: G is for all ages, PG is how to depend age you are, PG-13 IS FOR 13 AND UP but under 13 with adult (parent/guardigan) with some stuffs, R is not for kids, NC-17 is for 17 and up, and X is not for kids just like R is not. TV: TV-Y-FV - TV-Y7-FV is for children, TV-G is for all ages, TV-PG, depends how age you are, TV-14 is for 14 and up, adults (parents/guaridgans) with kids may watch some, TV-MA is for mature and TV-AO is not for kids GAME: E is for 6 and up, eC is for 3 and up, E10+ is for 10 and up,T is for 13 and up, M is for 17 and up, and Ao is for 18 and up MUSIC: Parental Advisory/Edited Version: means it dosen't have kid unedited stuff WEBSITE: age appropriate sites only this is the same as (DISCUSSION)
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kid, 12 years old
2
 
is it G for 13+, heck no!!!!
it's not rated PG-13.
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teen, 14 years old
2
 
is it G for 13+, heck no!!!!
it's not rated PG-13.
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kid, 11 years old
2
 
is it G for 13+, heck no!!!!
it's not rated PG-13.
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who3697cares
teen, 18 years old
12
 
The most un-Lynch film David Lynch ever made, but perhaps that is what's best about this.
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soymissk8
adult
 
AMAZING movie.
But you have to be old enough to understand and enjoy it. It moves slowly... on purpose. Kids, and even most high school students and some adults, may be bored.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines