In this five-film retrospective on select Saturdays in November and December, NOMA invites audiences to look back at David Lynch’s on-screen creations and consider his early artistic influences. (All films are free to members; standard museum admission applies to non-members.)

ABOUT THE STRAIGHT STORY

Alvin Straight has not shown up to his regular bar meeting with his friends. He is eventually found lying on his floor at home, although he insists that he “just needs a bit of help getting up.” His daughter Rose takes her reluctant father to see a doctor, who sternly admonishes Alvin to give up tobacco. He also tells Alvin that he should start using a walker. Alvin refuses. Alvin then learns that his brother Lyle has suffered a stroke. Longing to visit him, but unable to drive, Alvin gradually develops a plan to travel to his brother’s home, crossing Iowa and Wisconsin on a riding lawnmower and towing a small homemade travel trailer, to the consternation of his family and friends. Actor Richard Farnsworth was terminally ill with metastatic prostate cancer during the shooting of the movie, which had spread to his bones and caused the paralysis of his legs as shown in the film. The Straight Story also stars Sissy Spacek and Harry Dean Stanton. (1999 | Rated G | 1 hour, 52 minutes | Watch the trailer)