The Effect of the Rural Road
It was clear from the very beginning of the film that Alvin Straight was in love with all things rural. I think this is a very important observation to key in on, in order to realize why the story line never wavered from the country. Unlike many of the other characters we have seen in previous road films, Alvin was not unhappy with his life. He was unhappy though, in the fact that he and his brother had drifted apart. The journey that Alvin took was not one of discovery, but one of reminiscing and humility. It was clear to see that Alvin did not need to make this journey the way that he did, but he wanted to, so that he could have time to himself to think. I think it is very significant that this entire film took place in the middle of the country, because that is who Alvin was. He was not leaving his home to become something different than what he already was. As he rode across Iowa, and into Wisconsin you could not help but think that he was almost riding into the end of his life. It had a very final feel; with the reconciliation of him and his brother, and his own ailing health. It was almost a memoir of his life, and the things that he held dear to him, his rural surroundings being one of them.