Based on a true story, the "World's Fastest Indian" depicts the remarkable life events of Burt Munro, a 72 years old man who prepares to achieve his 25-year-old dream: to set a world's record on his 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle in 1963's Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats competition.
With extraordinary ingenuity Munro personally rebuilds his 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle, gathers his life savings, mortgages his house, and works as a cook on a ship to pay for the trip from New Zealand to the United States. His open nature and acceptance of strangers gains him friends throughout his journey, among which are a transvestite (Chris Williams), a used car salesman (Paul Rodriguez), a Native American, and a widow (Diane Ladd), each different in their own way but all very helpful for Munro's journey.
In the "World's Fastest Indian," director Roger Donaldson (The Recruit, 2003, Thirteen Days, 2000) accurately depicts Munro's experience, focus, and determination to turn a dream into reality. When Munro arrives at Bonneville's race, he is without the accustomed chute and safety brakes. Nor is he pre-registered. An American motorcycle competitor, Jim Moffet (Chris Lawford), taken by Munro's skill and determination, lends him a hand.
Several new movies have recently depicted the theme of pursuing value and opportunity in advanced age. For example, Mrs. Palfrey (Joan Plowright) in "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" (2005) is an elderly woman who finds friendship in a young writer. Schultze (Horst Kraus) in "Schultze Gets the Blues" (2003) discovers that it is not too late to retune his soul. In "About Schmidt" (2002), Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson), reawakens to life's new challenges and opportunities.
Anthony Hopkins's powerful acting sets the movie's tone and direction. His characterization of Burt Munro is rich and dimensional. Hopkins' superb multi-layered performance shows a stubborn, eccentric, yet sympathetic, character, free of self-pity and always willing to share his wisdom with everybody he encounters.
We don't know much about Munro's past life, because life for Burt is about making connections with people without dwelling on the past. However, the neighbor's boy, George (Ian Rea), offers a nice contrast between the innocence of youth, and the wisdom that comes with age. Close-ups of Anthony Hopkins enhance the contrast between present and past where Hopkins' crystal blue eyes represent Munro's youthful spirit, while his facial lines, portrays the roadmap of Munro's life journey.
The Bonneville flats and the motorcycle race tension are beautifully aided by David Gribble's cinematography.
"The World's Fastest Indian" tells us that life is what one makes it to be, obstacles are a means of empowerment, and that with enthusiasm and determination one can accomplish anything.
Ester Molayeme regularly reviews films for three publications.
Feeds