Very entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (15 February 2006)

I was attracted to this film because my cousin had an Indian motorcycle and I have a '66 BSA. I like old bikes and old bike stories, so my wife and I decided to "have a go at it".
From the start, one knew that the old codger, Burt Munro, played by Anthony Hopkins, had something going for him. Why else would he fire up his racing motorcycle at 3 AM and, apparently uncaring, rev it up and up and up, much to his neighbors' chagrin. As the plot develops, however, you are pulled in, through his understated style, to caring about his character very much. His interaction with the young neighbor boy is especially good and reminded me of the way my grandfather treated me...a mixture of love and disdain.
Rather than going through the entire plot line, though, let me just say that this is the first movie in many years in which I haven't been the only person laughing out loud, cheering and applauding at the end. Most of those who were in our viewing really got into it. It was fun! The movie was really quite wonderful and my wife and I have been talking about it ever since. During the racing scenes, I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. It was very exciting!
All in all, I think it's a great movie, but probably one that will not receive much critical acclaim...not enough sex and violence for critics' palates, I suppose.