Starting out on his riding mower and with little money, Alvin Straight finds unexpected adventures on his Midwestern odyssey and has a profound impact on the cast of characters he meets. Overcoming some incredible obstacles, he plods the final mile to discover his brother's fate.

Lynch was attracted to the story because of the human interest relationship with Straight's brother. He also wanted a chance to film a movie on location during the fall season. It's going to be a very visual film. The story will mostly center around Straight and the people he meets in his travels across Iowa. Most of the dialog in the film will consist of conversations with the people he encounters.

David Lynch's Picture Factory launched production in September. "The Straight Story" will be the first release from the new company. Lynch filmed on location in Iowa and Wisconsin, various scenes were filmed in Laurens, including some in Straight's home. Straight died at the age 76 of a heart ailment in November 1996.
Filming was completed on October 19, 1998.

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Dialogue Excerpt:

EXT. ALVIN'S BACKYARD - NIGHT

ALVIN
Listen to that old grain elevator

ROSE
It's… harvest time. That… trailer… is
too… heavy for… for that. It's a
lawn mower. You're going to… drive a
… a lawnmower to another
state?

ALVIN
Rosie, I… I've gotta go see Lyle.
And I… I've gotta make this trip on
my own. I know you understand.

ROSE
I guess so.

ALVIN
Look up at the sky, Rosie.
The sky is sure full of stars tonight.