The Indian in Anthony Hopkins' new film is a motorcycle, and its owner Burt Munro broke landspeed records with it on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in the 1960s, despite being well into his sixties and suffering from heart trouble. This is Burt's story, and it's an enjoyably old-fashioned romp, dominated by Hopkins' best performance in years.
Munro was a New Zealander who spent most of his life tinkering with machines in his back garden, much to the annoyance of his social climbing neighbours. Despite his advancing years, his success at refining powerful bikes led to victories in local and national speed trials and fostered a dream that wouldn't go away: to make a splash on a world level. The only things standing in his way were his partial deafness, dodgy ticker, a lack of funds, and a scant idea of how to actually get to Utah.
In his favour, as illustrated by Hopkins' performance, were his charming manner and his refusal to take no for an answer. He could be bloody-minded and occasionally a bit of an old codger, but he had a humanist view of the world which allowed him to accept everyone for what they were: in short, old Burt was a bit of a character. His shaggy dog story sees him encounter obstacle after obstacle on his way to America's arid racetrack, from Hell's Angels to zealous race officials, and leaving them all with a smile on their faces.
Director Roger Donaldson (No Way Out, Thirteen Days) makes no apologies about telling his story in a straightforward manner, and finds a character that was something of an anachronism in his own time. He serves the story well, keeping it pacy as a number of quirky episodes in Burt's journey unfold: so much so that there is a real sense of tension and excitement when he arrives at his final destination.
If Hopkins' recent career has been defined by a series of similar and sometimes self-conscious performances, then The World's Fastest Indian reminds us of why he is one of the most exhilarating actors around. He is in nearly every scene of the film, has to carry it firmly on his shoulders and he does so triumphantly, but never at the expense of his fellow actors. He reportedly described making the film as the most fun he has had on set, and it certainly looks the case.
Paul Hurley
