Based on the incredible true story of amateur cyclist Graeme Obree, who breaks the world one-hour record on a bike he made out of washing machine parts.Silver-screen sports stories rarely revolve around the big and brawny, but the small and scrappy, like Sean Astin in Rudy or Toby Maguire in Seabiscuit. For Scottish cycling sensation Graeme Obree (Trainspotting‘s Jonny Lee Miller), the biggest obstacle isn’t physical, but financial–and psychological. From 1993 to 1995, when most of The Flying Scotsman takes place, he’s a bike-shop owner and courier who dreams of turning pro (Laura Fraser plays his supportive spouse). After Rev. Baxter (Brian Cox returning to his native Scotland) sets him up with supplies, and fellow courier Malky (The Lord of the Rings‘ Billy Boyd) agrees to manage him, Obree sets out to break the one-hour world record. He starts by building a bicycle from spare parts, a move that recalls Anthony Hopkins’ eccentric racer in The World’s Fastest Indian. Obree’s money woes are further complicated by a battle with manic depression, which is handled sensitively, if superficially, i.e. it isn’t made clear whether he ever receives treatment. Though he’ll break several records before the film is over, the World Cycling Federation (represented by former James Bond villain Steven Berkoff) makes him jump through several demeaning hoops to get there. As for Miller, he’s convincing as a cyclist (Obree serves as one of his stand-ins), though Boyd provides the bulk of the charisma. Nonetheless, the real-life champ deserves recognition for his achievements, and Mackinnon’s movie is as a sympathetic testament to a true talent. –Kathleen C. Fennessy
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March 5, 2010
#1
I am a cyclist and have been hearing about Graeme Obree for years. I am in awe of his physical accomplishments and understanding and sympathetic to his manic-depressive illness, as I have several family members who also suffer from this terrrible disease. I read the book The Flying Scotsman and loved it. I then eagerly looked forward to the movie for months. It was awful. One of the worst movies that I have ever seen and it is such a shame, as Graeme Obree is truly a remarkable man.
March 5, 2010
#2
Not a bad movie, especially for hard-core cycling fans. Still, it is a rather odds movie. The protagonist Graeme Obree, is an odd duck. This film gives little or no clue as to what fuelled his ferocious competitive drive to set cycling records. It gives no clue as to what mental demons plunged him into depression and attempted suicide. (Was it because he was picked on or bullied as a kid? Because he wasn’t breast-fed? Early potty-training? What??)It gives little hint as to why the cycling powers that be conspired against him. It gives little insight as to how or why he pulled himself out of his depressive cycle.
He has a hot wife and an adorable kid, but really doesn’t seem to be there for them. He comes off in the movie as a bit of a cycling robot, a cyborg.
Not quite a cycling Rocky, because Balboa had passion and his motives written on his sleeve.
Again, a middle-of-the road movie experience with somewhat cardboard two-dimensional characters.
March 5, 2010
#3
I race a bicycle and so it wasn’t hard for me to enjoy the movie simply because of its’ content; however I was deeply disappointed with the quality of the movie making. Poor lighting and sound quality were the bigget annoyances.
March 5, 2010
#4
As an active cyclist and fan of bicycle racing I was excited at one more motion picture about a bicycle racer. Viewing the film I was bothered by the trite elements. Was Obree ever a bicycle messenger? No. Did he ever put training wheels on “Old Faitful?” No. Did he fall off his bike when the officials red flagged him? No, he actually tried to run down the official standing in his way — now that would have been a good cinematic device that would have been truly humorous.
I hope Obree got a bundle of cash for the rights because the producers and directors made a mockery of his life and his personal struggle with a manic-depressive condition. If you really want to know about Obree and his life read his book which has the same name. It is a dark, yet inspriing, tale of the human struggle with demons inside his head.
March 5, 2010
#5
Based on the Graeme Obree autobiography of the same name, the movie (starring Jonny Lee Miller as Obree) juxtaposes the innovations developed by the gifted athlete/inventor with his battles against personal demons that were poised on every lap to derail a cycling career.
Utilizing a revolutionary position for his arms and using washing-machine parts on his bike – “Old Faithful” – Obree set the world distance record for one hour in 1993 and 1994, along with capturing a world championship in individual pursuit. The film focuses on the singular vision of Obree in developing new riding techniques and its consequences when he becomes a sensation on the international stage, along with delving into the psychological scars from being bullied as a youth.
The idea of bike as an escape mechanism – he flees the bullies on a bike and is in solitude when on the track as an adult – is fascinating, but ultimately cannot speed past the movie cliches of an underdog against the establishment and falls flat with some unsettling attempts at comic relief.
The velodrome scenes carry a special intensity, but the story may ultimately stall for those who do not know the back story of Obree and the real-life politics in world class cycling.