CHANGE CATEGORY:
Where will you be this summer?
It’s par for the course around this time of year that exciting summer tour and... [more]
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(Rialto Entertainment)
Run Time: 98 mins
Rating: M, Drama
Starring: Johnny Miller, Laura Fraser, Billy Boyd, Brian Cox
Directed by: Douglas MacKinnon
Do not be put off by the fact that this is a sporting film, it is so much more. Graeme Obree (Jonny Lee Miller) has always fled from the torments of life at great speed on his trusty bicycle, however his triumphs on the world stage and ability to overcome his inner demons provide a nail biting story of inspirational proportions.
It is difficult to discuss the plot without giving too much away. Obviously cycling fans would be quite up to speed with the amazing records that Obree broke, taking on the stunned cycling fraternity with his handmade and earthshatteringly original new bike. For those new to the story as I am, the sheer strength of his determination and the scale of the feats he wrought is impressive and makes for captivating viewing.
While I may have been lured to the cinema by the sight of Angelina Jolie’s ex-husband Miller in lycra, his performance surpassed his roguish looks and can not be faulted. His highly credible accent and level of fitness add to the film’s integrity. There is a real sense of engagement with the characters of Obree, his wife (Laura Fraser) and his manager Malky (the ex-hobbit Billy Boyd).
Malky’s enthusiasm is infectious and lends an air of conviviality to the proceedings; he also acts as a counterpoint of normalcy to Obree’s tremendous highs and lows. Obree is further assisted by Douglas Baxter (Brian Cox), a church minister who lost his wife to suicide and reaches out to Obree in order to help deal with his troubles. You may recognize Cox’s sage visage from roles in Troy and Braveheart, but here we also see a softer side.
The greatest struggles faced by Obree are not on the velodrome but rather inside his head as he battles deep ceded depression, culminating in his attempted suicide. The inner turmoil is reflected in some rather jerky camera work, particularly in the first few scenes which sets an air of the unhinged about the story line.
The frenetic pace is further bolstered during Obree’s world record attempts when the images blur and the exhaustion and concentration at play are almost palpable to the audience. This tale off a Scottish Policeman’s son who builds a bike out of laundry machine parts and breaks a world record is definitely worth a look.
Have a good long stretch, get on your bike and go see the Scotsman take flight!
Rated: 4/5
