Fluffy in places, but a definite winner

Rating: 8/10 (12 October 2005)

While I was aware of the land speed record established by Bert Munro, I was not prepared for his personal Odyssey. His work at Bonneville, as I now realize, stands tall in a world of giants - Vale Bert! This film was a beautifully shot, well directed overview of the man and his eccentric story. The fluffy bits may or may not be accurate to the real story, and I can understand that Scripting People and Directors may require the "human Interest" to be ramped up... but in this film it is obvious, and gentle - not exploitative in my opinion. The film moves well, and the treatment of the story is calm and 'small-world' in style. I was delighted; we laughed at some comic moments and we came to understand some of Bert's classically Kiwi personality. Hopkins (and this is not a criticism, just a minor dead note) struggles with his character's accent throughout, but unless one is Kiwi it may not be noticeable. Hopkins wanted this role, and I can see why. Purity of motive, simplicity of character - actors must get tired of working in the neurotic, hyperbolic, sometimes pathetic and finally dishonest world of Hollywood Cinema.... This film goes a different path, and deserves it's audience. Trolls who need "action" and cretins who live in the "American Pie" world need not apply. This is cinema.