Excellent Film for motorheads & non-riders alike!

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2006)

Wow, we just saw the film last night, what a wonderful depiction of a great life and a true character! Our local 'arthouse' theater was showing the film, only 2 nights (part of a film festival - sold out both shows). We expected the crowd to be full of kindred old-bike souls, but found ourselves surrounded by yuppie young'uns with no connection to motorcycling.
I was very interested to see how they would respond to the film. From the first line, they laughed, then thoroughly enjoyed it to the end - even applauding as the credits rolled.
I wasn't expecting much from the movie  since usually anything involving motorcycles on film just makes me grit my teeth in frustration at the sheer ignorance of the directors/producers.
This movie was completely opposite. Not only did it do a wonderful job at depicting the bikes and riders JUST RIGHT, it also did something wonderful  it made even the non-riders in the crowd feel (just a little bit) what it's like to ride a fast bike. The sheer joy of speed, with your body inches off the ground, and nothing protecting you but your own skill and the quality of the machine you've built.
Also, having toured the back roads from California/Oregon through Utah quite often, the landscape and regional town shots really made me want to get on my bike and run through there again  right now! Taking backroads, you can find those little cafes in tiny towns that time forgot  it's one of my favorite reasons to ride.
Anthony Hopkins was perfect  played the part perfectly and was supported expertly by an exceptional cast of characters. Seeing some of the old legends of the sand (like The Redhead, and its owner) was just icing on the cake.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable movie. I can't wait to see it again.