Alvin Straight's journey
Alvin embarks on a journey to make peace with his estranged brother. After his own brush with fate, his age becomes apparent and Alvin realizes he might not have much time left. With a tractor as his only mode of transportation, he sets out against all odds. Alvin's tractor moves at a slow pace and his slow journey gives him all the time in the world to think about his life. It seems that his life even flashes throughout the story, beginning with the pregnant runaway, to the youth of the bicycle marathon men, to reminiscing about his days in WWII. Except Vagabond, unlike the other road films Alvin spends much of his trip alone on a mostly rural road, with only his thoughts. Thus his entire journey gives way to a self revelation: the importance of life, his family. From remembering his wife, his children that are alive and those that have died, to his comrades in the war, to his brother, Lyle, through his time spent alone, Alvin was able to see his life and he also was able to actualize what he wanted out of it. As Alvin travels to see his brother for the first time in ten years, his thoughts have led him to realize how important it is to resolve problems with those who are dear to you because you never know when one's journey in life can end.