Alvin Straight, played by Richard Farnsworth

Description

Alvin Straight is an elderly man living with his daughter, Rose, in Iowa. He has had a long, full life, but one thing still bothers him: he hasn't talked to his brother in years. When he gets a call that his brother has had a major stroke, Alvin decides that he must go make peace with him before they run out of time.

Neither Alvin nor Rose can drive, but Alvin decides that he will figure out how to get to his brother's house, anyway. He is stubborn and refuses to accept defeat. He chooses to drive his old lawnmower there, but it gives out quickly. He then buys a new John Deere lawnmower and makes it almost all the way there. After one repair, he finally arrives at his brother's house and makes peace.

Alvin meets numerous people along the way...