Let me just start by saying that Anthony Hopkins is one of the truly great actors this world has ever seen...

If you haven't seen the movie there are some spoilers ahead!


I've watched the film The World's Fastest Indian a couple times now, and every time I finish it I truly feel my heart warmed by the experience.  It is based on the incredible true story of Burt Munro, an older New Zealander with more zeal for life then any other onscreen character I've seen, be it real life or not.  One of the great things about watching this movie is realizing that this is a struggle that was tried, tested and overcome.


The movie works because you feel for and love Burt Munro.  The fact that he does what he eventually does (break numerous land speed records, some of which still stand today) is amazing in itself, but it is the fact that he does it with a constant smile on his face and that he never lets the obstacles tear him down that truly touched me.


The little nuances of Anthony Hopkins only add to his acting legend.  He has never been one to showoff, which is brilliant.  It's his laugh in this film that is infectious, his constant quoting of past sayings, and retelling of childhood memories that win every single person he comes into contact in the film with (even a very rude taxi driver).  But there are two particular scenes that nearly brought a tear to my eye (or possibly did...haha).


The scene where Burt finally makes it to Bonneville Speed Week and gives a very touching monologue about how he's waited all his life to make it this far.  Anthony Hopkins again doesn't go for the "Oscar moment" and holds back the tears and never lets us totally see him break, which to me is one of the greatest things I've seen an actor do (Clint Eastwood in The Bridges of Madison Country does this as well.).  He lets us see him long enough and then turns his back to have a moment to himself...beautiful.


And of course when he finally sets the first of his records, we see what I don't think we see enough in films about triumph (primarily sports related films, excluding the first Rocky) is the quiet moment of celebration the victor feels.  There is no screaming and crying on Burt's part, there is only a simple..."I did it."  As he lies miles away from the roaring crowd on the ground next to the world's fastest Indian...


GRADE - A