| Following Dreams |  |
Roger Donaldson was obsessed with Burt Munro. Kiwi Burt Munro was obsessed with speed -- especially while astride his classic and uniquely adapted Indian motorcycle.
Donaldson made a documentary about Munro many years ago but the true story niggled in his brain as suitable for a full scale film. Finally, as director, producer and writer, he saw it happen with this film.
Munro made his first trip to the USA in the late 1950s when he was 67 years old. His goal: to break a record on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Nevada. He did -- and he returned for many years to compete again and again, and set new records..
After watching Donaldson's documentary, which is a bonus on the DVD I viewed, I can't think of a better choice than Anthony Hopkins to play the role.
The film is essentially Munro's preparation in Invercargill City, New Zealand, and journey to his first Bonneville time trial. Despite a fresh diagnosis of angina, nothing was going to stop the determined man who'd fashioned odd parts out of strange materials for his beloved bike.
He earns his passage across the ocean by working as the cook on an ocean tramper. Upon arriving in California, he quickly learns how to drive in the USA, buys a car, fashions a rig for his bike and sets out for Nevada. Along the way, he encounters several kindly folks who help him on his journey including a Native American (Saginaw Grant) who gives him "crushed dog testicles" to relieve his prostate troubles and an older ranch woman named Ada (Diane Ladd) who helps him repair his car.
When he arrives at the Speed Week event, Munro is disheartened to find that he didn't pre-register and therefore can't compete, but so many competitors and fans, lead by driver Jim Enz (Christopher Lawford, who looks eerily like his father), are taken by this old man's determination that they arrange for him to have a chance.
Favorite quote: "You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime."
Even if you're not a fan of speed or motorciccles, this is a feel good human interest story that is definitely worth the watch. Sir Anthony Hopkins has said this has been his very favorite role to play in all his years of acting.
Rated PG-13 for brief language, drug use and a sexual reference.
My personal rating: B
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