The World's Fastest Indian
2005
***
Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Cauffiel, Joe Howard, Chris Williams, Paul Rodriguez, Christopher Lawford, Annie Whittle
In the late 1950s avid land speed racer Burt Munro is about to travel from his native New Zealand to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to test the limits of his trusted Indian Scout motorcycle. The candid and genial Munro meets many obstacles and a colourful selection of people during his long journey. The story is based on real-life events and it offers a lighter version of David Lynch's The Straight Story. This feelgood film wins you over with its old school charm and optimism, even if the narrative is a bit sluggish at times. But what to make of Antony Hopkins and his performance? His accent is all over the place and his Burt Munro borders on Forrest Gump, but somehow he manages to capture the character's affability.
