This movie is mostly for those who love turning wrench, the smell of gasoline and oil and that peculiar sensation of speed only experienced on the back of a motorcycle. There's no real drama or deep message other than maybe, "Follow your dreams." It's basically about the allure of unbridled speed and the lengths some of us are willing to go to achieve it.
I'd never heard of Burt Munro before I saw a trailer for this film, so I have no idea what he was really like. By most standards his story should have merited nothing more than a made-for-TV movie or a segment in a "History of Motorcycle Racing" special on the Speed Channel. But, as usual, Anthony Hopkins infuses this character with so much humanity and life that you can't help but love the guy by the end of the movie. Actually, it is Sir Anthony's performance plus the exhilarating camera work that elevates it to big screen material.
Even if you're not a motorcycle freak, you'll probably find it plenty exciting. I know during many of the scenes where Munro is pushing his machine to its limits, Laurie was gripping my arm like a vice. Such was the power of the cinematography. You really feel like you're on the back of this oil-streaked, fire-breathing antique with him.
I'm just glad (and Laurie more so) that we didn't ride the Suzuki to the movie. I would've wanted to really wring it out on the way home.
No comments:
Post a Comment