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Back Shelf Beauties
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The World's Fastest Indian Magnolia Pictures really should rename this, "The World's Fastest Indian (MOTORCYCLE, so please don't send us any hate mail, we're not the ones who named the motorcycle, "Indian")." With that said, the film is one of the more inspirational and entertaining films of the past few weeks. I imagine a double feature of this and Glory Road could even make Chuck Norris cry (but, he would only cry one manly tear that slowly streamed down his rugged cheek and disappeared into his beard. Then, he would kick someone's butt.). Set in the 1960's, Anthony Hopkins (or Antony as his close friend Gwyneth Paltrow likes to say) stars as Burt Munro - a New Zealander who loves speed, and wants to prove himself to himself. He spends his days toiling away in a small shed trying to tweak his 1920 Indian motorcycle into a speed demon, and dreams of traveling to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to run the track and try to break a land speed record. Most write him off as a crazy old codger with a few screws loose, but Burt finally gets his chance to head off to America and attempt to live out his dream. Will Burt get to the Flats and race his motorcycle? The World's Fastest Indian is a movie that combines all of the best elements of inspirational films, road trip movies and showy lead actor showcases. Writer/director Roger Donaldson provides plenty of moments for Hopkins to shine by giving Munro a constant stream of wisdom to pass on to anyone and everyone he meets on his journey, keeps the movie lighthearted in all of the appropriate moments and, as director, knows how to move the camera around to give us the most compelling look at the action. Getting the movie started is his only trouble. Donaldson seems to assume we will all know the story and about the time trials at the Salt Flats, so some of the audience (me included) can easily get confused for the first 30 minutes because we don't get the importance of the event or what actually happens there. Knowing this a little earlier would have further helped set up Munro as a David going after Goliath, and shown the audience how outlandish and grand his dream could be. However, the movie truly starts to take off after that first 30 minutes, and the audience gets caught up enough to appreciate all of the drama and fun coming our way. Donaldson does a commendable job of avoiding some obvious plot twists and clichés, and recaptures the spirit of adventure and amazement at a time when the world didn't have as much TV and no internet to help us experience everything we ever wanted. Of course, Hopkins helps make that happen as well. Hopkins brings Munro to life without becoming a caricature, even when the material or situations might lead him down that road, which shows you why he's awesome. In addition to entertaining us with the irascible old guy routine, Hopkins adds some other well-nuanced touches to Munro as well. We get the sense of his declining health including a hearing problem, heart ailments and possible early Alzheimer's, but Hopkins, like Munro would likely do in the same situation, does a great job showing us how Munro would cover up such problems. Also, he never overdoes it when showing the character's undeniable genius and craftiness. Like the real Munro might, his little ways of doing things are stated matter-of-factly instead of treated as some sort of revelation. It's a great performance, with Hopkins truly shining as he shows Munro's charm with the ladies and kids. The World's Fastest Indian was seen as a possible Oscar contender very early in the awards season, but never was able to gain some momentum. Hopefully, that won't stop you from seeking it out. 3 Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2006 - WaffleMovies.com
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