Cudos to Anthony Hopkins

Rating: 8/10 (20 February 2006)

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and it was pretty much all Anthony Hopkins. A wonderful characterization of a classic character - the old eccentric, nearing the sunset of his life, get's one last chance to realize his dream, and through shear tenacity, and a bit of ingenuity, he triumphs.
I couldn't help but think of my father and the men of his generation (the WWII vets). A shade tree mechanic, my father seemed like he could fix damn near anything with a pocket knife, some wire, a curse, and a prayer.
It's not a perfect movie, there are some moments that I felt the script writer doing a bit too much "emotional button pushing", when there was no need. In the end, I wanted to know a few more details (for example, what was the speed record that was set?), and the movie ends just to a little too quick for my taste. I wanted just a couple more minutes with the character - but it's always better to leave the audience wanting more than overwork the material.
A good story, well told, with a great lead actor. Everyone was smiling when we left the theater. Pay the ticket, get your popcorn, and settle back for a very entertaining couple of hours.