Most critics respond warmly to The Straight Story, with praise centred on Richard Farnsworth’s understated performance and the dignity he gives Alvin Straight. The reviews repeatedly credit Lynch with making a simple journey emotionally absorbing through patient storytelling, kindness and attention to ordinary encounters. The landscapes, naturalistic dialogue and gentle humour also draw praise. For most critics, the film’s warmth comes without forcing its emotions.
The differences concern how securely Lynch controls that sweetness, and how far he departs from his usual approach. Sight and Sound admires the performances and cinematography but sees a risk of excessive sentimentality. The Los Angeles Times is more resistant, finding contrived folk wisdom and awkward clashes of tone, while still praising Farnsworth. Time Out, by contrast, finds the compositions, sound and wry humour recognisably Lynchian, suggesting that the apparent simplicity leaves plenty to notice.