“At the center of this film's luminous vision is its perfectly cast star.” - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

“A journey film kissed by tiny magic.” - Wesley Morris, San Francisco Examiner

“A beguiling piece of Americana.” - Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Thursday, December 12, 8:30 p.m. | When septuagenarian Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth, in an Academy Award–nominated performance) gets word that his estranged brother Lyle has suffered a stroke, Alvin sets off to visit him and make things right. Despite his own health issues and much to the chagrin of his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek), Alvin packs up the only vehicle he has: a 1996 John Deere lawn mower, and leaves Iowa enroute to Wisconsin. Along his journey, Alvin encounters a series of strangers, including a young hitchhiker, a stressed commuter, and a fellow veteran, all of whom connect with Alvin, allowing him to reflect on his life, impart wisdom, and get one step closer to his destination. As much a gentle exploration of old age as it is a portrait of the American heartland, David Lynch calls this warm, introspective odyssey his “most experimental film.”

Awards & Nominations

Nominee - Best Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Farnsworth), Academy Award
Nominee - Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival 
Winner - Best Male Lead (Richard Farnsworth)

Heartland: Flyover country, the third coast, the rust belt. The American Midwest has plenty of nicknames, and is arguably more difficult to outline on a map than the east or west coasts. Despite its ambiguous footprint, the Midwest is often defined by its people: hard working, sympathetic, and “nice.” With Heartland, we search for the Midwest's cinematic definition—how is middle America defined by big screen style and story, and when the lights go down, do we like what we see of our cinematic selves (however realistic or fantastical) reflected back at us? Read more

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu