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Review #25 of 365
Film: The World’s Fastest Indian [PG-13] 127 minutes
WIP: $11.00
When 2nd Seen: 4 February 2006
Where Viewed: Landmark Metro Cinemas, Seattle, WA
Time: 12:45 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Eddie F. of Newport Beach, CA
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DVD | soundtrack |
I arrived at the Metro Cinema early, and it was a good thing because the theatre was nearly overrun by Indian Motorcycle fans. This was not unlike being in line to get in to see the latest Star Wars film with all the different characters, though this was slightly lower in key in scope and scale—just perfect for this gem of a film.
The World’s Fastest Indian stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as the real life Kiwi legend and world land speed record-smasher, Burt Munro. Like so many great movies, WFI is the story of one man’s life-long journey. In this case, Burt Munro believes his hand-rebuilt Indian Scout motorcycle can break the world land speed record if only he can get all the way to the Bonneville Salt Flats near Salt Lake City, Utah. His journey begins in his native Invercargill (sometimes he spells it with one ‘l’ to save ink, or so Burt says) where his spellbound neighbor kid, Tom, played most charmingly by Aaron Murphy, helps him get his Indian Scout ready for the big trip to America. As cool as it is to think he might be able to get a world land speed record, the film is really about the journey from New Zealand to Bonneville. It is along this journey that we get to know Burt Munro from how he buffs his toe nails (“That’s disgusting,” says Tom with a look of disdain) to how he has reached this ripe old age while maintaining his health of mind, body, and spirit to what encouraged him along the way. Following the journey is well worth it just for such pearls of wisdom as “If you aren’t going to follow your dreams, you may as well be a vegetable.” Moreover, we get to see how Mr. Munro charms his way as he wanders, without really knowing what he’s doing or where he’s going, from LA to Utah on a shoestring, a prayer, and the kindness of strangers. Parts of this film are enchanting in that sense. If the real Burt Munro was anything like this very fun portrayal by Sir Hopkins, I feel he is the kind of person most every one dreams of having for a grandfather. He is one part sentimental fool, one part gentle giant, one part MacGuyver, one part sour lemons, one part self-effacing comic good guy, and three parts rattlesnake. Sir Hopkins does an amazing job with this character, and writer/director Roger Donaldson has put together one of the more refreshing films of the season. I’ve not heard so much applause at end of a movie in a theater in a long, long time, and I think it was richly deserved.
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The World's Fastest Indian [DVD](2005) DVD
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