many stories; one of which is about the kindness of strangers

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2006)

I just saw this movie and what moved me was at critical junctures the character was helped by the kindness of strangers, whether in New Zealand or the US. When I say "critical junctures" at these points had the character not been helped his dream of 25 years - of going to Bonneville - would have ended.
And the help came from some unexpected sources.
Being a car guy I was immensely impressed by this character's "working miracles" in his primitive work shop. Anyone ever hear of anyone melting aluminum and casting their own pistons? I hadn't until the movie - and apparently it is all true.
He reminded me a bit of the Christopher Lloyd character (Dr. Brown) in the Back to the Future series - coming up with simple solutions to complex problems and the solutions coming from places no one had thought of before.
Well, in fact, I knew a fellow a bit like Burt - from England - who was an extraordinary mechanic - but even he didn't make his own pistons.
One other thing - when Burt gets to Long Beach (did he really sail across the Pacific on a ship that small?) - anyway he reminded me a bit of the Paul Hogan character in Crocodile Dundee - naive but kind to the "city slickers" but they still don't "pull the wool over his eyes".
I enjoyed the photography of the Salt Flats - the sunrise picture - and the "vintage" vehicles there - including Mickey Thompson's...
Someone mentioned that this was a "chick flick for guys" - I can say that both genders should enjoy it.
Bill