MovieChat Forums > The Straight Story (1999) Discussion > The ending: Did he make it in time? SPOI...

The ending: Did he make it in time? SPOILERS

posted 16 years ago by yoda-88
13 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone else think that perhaps he did not make it in time, and that Lyle was dead?

Lyle's house is decrepit and unused looking, and he takes a fair while to respond. When he eventually appears, he looks far too young to be Alvin's brother. Alvin said in the bar "I remember my buddies as young men", so could it be that what we see of Lyle is the way that Alvin remembers him from the last time they spoke, 10 years before? Lyle looks musty as hell, and in all the shots Alvin stands out and doesn't quite fit in. This, coupled with the slightly surreal elements that Lynch starts introducing at the end of his otherwise straightforward film, makes me surprised that no-one else on this board has suggested it. Is it the past he's looking at, or am I looking far too much into this and was Harry Dean Stanton just miscast?

[–] stumper93-1 16 years ago

in real life he actually did see his brother so that was true...not the past

interesting theory though

"You turn on the fan, you're getting a detention."-B. Rose

[–] Retinend 16 years ago

You're an idiot.

[–] yoda-88 16 years ago

Ouchies.

[–] stumper93-1 16 years ago

was that towards me?

because I would know about the Straight Story, I live where it actually happened

"You turn on the fan, you're getting a detention."-B. Rose

[–] yoda-88 16 years ago

Nope not towards you.

I'm not asking about what actually happened, I'm asking about what the film is showing to have happened.

No-ones questioning your knowledge.

[–] stumper93-1 16 years ago

alright

"You turn on the fan, you're getting a detention."-B. Rose

[–] Retinend 16 years ago

"was that towards me?"

no, I was calling the OP an idiot.

[–] yoda-88 16 years ago

What confuddlement

[–] brokeaccount 16 years ago

I've gotta admit, I thought Harry Dean Stanton looked a little too young as well, but it turns out he's only 6 years younger than Richard Farnsworth - he even served in World War II.

[–] mrmit-1 15 years ago

I'm reading this thread immediately after the one about the lawn mower's engine dying shortly before Alvin reaches his brother's house...

Possible interpretation(?)... Lyle *had* died at some point during Alvin's journey. Alvin's engine dying shortly before reaching his destination was actually Alvin passing away (notice Alvin's calm manner of resignation and the unusual slow edit after this happens, before the large tractor shows up; "How you doin'?" "Well, not too good" "Try 'er again"). Shortly thereafter the two brothers are sitting together, their bond transcending their mortality.

Just an interpretation, not saying this is the "correct answer" or anything like that, but the above scene is in the movie for a reason... whaddya think?

[–] lubin-freddy 15 years ago

It was too much of a straight story for Lynch to be mind-ph#kking at the end.

"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lubin-freddy 15 years ago

Exactly.

"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx