MovieChat Forums > The World's Fastest Indian (2006) Discussion > I f'n hated this film

I f'n hated this film

posted 16 years ago by greg3
50 replies | jump to latest

With an IMBD rating of 8 I was expecting quality, but really this is a sentimental b movie with with excellent actors under what has to be some of the worst scripting and direction I've seen in a long time. 20 years in the making?!?! Even my lady-friend, who's not picky as I am, was hiding under a cushion by the end of 10 minutes.

It's not like there isn't a good story but the execution is just awful. At least the central character didn't have to do all that cringey smiling and laughing and falling-in-love-with-burt like the other poor sods; and it's not like they were bad actors.

Surprisingly it wouldn't have done me any good at all to visit Rotten-tomatoes, the worlds slowest website, for a more reliable rating: the critics, blast them, gave it an 80% rating?!?!? Perhaps I've had a sentiment bypass, because sentimental nonsense was all there was to be found in this terrible movie. The only indication of something dodgy going on is the film's low takings.

My own preference is talky films for human relations and I can't be bothered with action movies but in this film all that oppotunity was converted in to one awful moment after another, and some very awkward acting due to some dire direction, and it was only one action scene at the beginning that was any good. The race against the young scamps was actually quite excellent; I could have done with more of that but when it came to the the same scallywags giving Burt some money to help him on his way I ended up cringing at what should have been a good moment if handled by a competent script and decent direction. Yet the final action scenes of his race for 200mph had no sense of speed or excitement.

What a waste of a £1 rental.

[–] rama2 15 years ago

dude greg its ok that you have no soul - one day with experience you will see that the compassion that the people showed burt is what life is all about not intellectual thought about whether its directed sentimentally or not anyway this is just your opinion which happens to be wrong - (i joke ) but seriously your wrong its an amazing film even mt father related to it and hes the same age as burt in the film

I think with real pain and determination against all odds you understand his plight is immense , and outstanding

[–] MrMcalyMouth 15 years ago

Hmm... I came in on this movie part-way-through when I first saw it, having never heard of it before, and really enjoyed it. I think you are just looking for something to complain about, subconsciously or not.

[–] chiefbrody2001 15 years ago

...you're in a very small minority.

It's a great film featuring one of Hopkins best performances!

Best film of 2005 for me:
http://www.top10films.co.uk/archives/1376

[–] lfearns 15 years ago

Ahh good to see I'm not alone. I almost turned it off numerous times, but held out hope something fun, touching, or at least slightly interesting would happen; alas, nothing worthwhile ever did happen. IMDB voters you let me down!

[–] epprecht 15 years ago

PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH A TOP TEN LIST!!

[–] pc-daisy 14 years ago

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just can't understand how someone gets to ask if he is an "Aussie A,,"? The man said the rental was the waste of a pound, (have to spell it, as our qwerty keyboards don't have the pound symbol!),and we don't have pounds in Australia!

Burt Munro was a real life bloke from our neighbourhood, a beautiful country called New Zealand!! Not only is his story true, but he defended the speed time he set for many years after.
Loved the film, loved the message. Thought Hopkins did his usual sterling performance, but his NZ accent was a bit all over the place. Sometimes he nailed it and sometimes his Welsh origins came through!

[–] spartacrust 14 years ago

An excellent true story very well portrayed by all concerned in a very human way.

Another little gem to watch again and again.

I did think though that some of the main saltflats US characters were'nt portrayed very well, a bit of miscasting/directing there.

[–] patricia-883-585240 14 years ago

Not too sure what you mean re the portrayal of the saltflats characters? I visited the US for the first time in 1977 (went to see Elvis at Las Vegas, but that is another story!!), and what I experienced from locals was exactly as the people were portrayed in the film. Very kind and hospitable, while very ignorant about my origins. It is a common held belief, if not fact that, in the main, Americans, don't have much knowledge of most other countries.

The support Burt received from the people he met was portrayed just as I experienced as well.

[–] lexp2005 14 years ago

Yes pc-daisy each individual are entitled to their opinons.The fact that "greg"
said he wasted a "pound"(I too live in Australia)hence no pound symbol on my keyboard,does not mean he is a POM. but I am NOT an Aussie.I lived from 1956 till 1995 in New Zealand then I came over here to Australia and as YOU described it(NZ)
is a beautiful country.Now having said that not all Australians like yourself hold
New Zealand,or it's residents,in high regard hence my comment about him being an
"Aussie A".You see see I am a"POMMY A".I agree with you about Hopkins turning on (apart from his poor kiwi accent)a great performance as Burt Munro.Now you KNOW the reason for MY comment.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] torydude 14 years ago

I f'n hate this movie for many reasons. So there's no way the truth/facts, or even Anthony Hopkins could reach their due glory.

A) Hopkins attempt at a Kiwi accent is PAINFULLY bad.
B) Main character is an annoying old prick (that's enough to kill a story, in itself)
C) This movie brings all the redneck idiots out of the woodwork, everytime it's on TV.

Every foolish, arrogant, annoying, anti-social old fart I know things he's the main character is a LEGEND. And, of-course, how he's just like him. "The stuff we used to do" ... "They said we couldn't do it" ... "We showed them" ... and other countless tales of them being a moron with blinkers.

This one guy, a moron of a person, was able to achieve some amazing feats. But I'll never watch this movie again, or listen to another home-made-hero talking utter crap, again.

[–] ziaulh 14 years ago

AH! It's just a matter of taste buddy. Not your cup of tea, that's a better perspective rather trying to fail attempt to bash this excellent movie.

Real-Eyes Realize Real-lies

[–] tocanepauli 13 years ago

What a sad comment to make.

As a kiwi I thought his accent was remarkably GOOD - he is from the Sth Island and they DO talk like that.

I found it a charming, heartwarming story - as a film excellent, with good characters - Burt is like so many older Kiwis, down to Earth, humble and not too world wise. Remember this is the 50s, when people were actually relatively kind and essentially good.

I am not too sure how "true to earth" the story is BUT, what the hell - its a great watch and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] schall1991 10 years ago

You are a true *beep*

[–] schall1991 10 years ago

Dumb C. un T

[–] netshopper-2 14 years ago

Hopkins' acting ability shines in this film. His ability to keep the character's demeanor even as he experiences a myriad of challenges and unusual people is skilled.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] truekiwijoker 14 years ago

Any films with New Zealanders in it automatically get 5 million 10/10 votes.

Except this film was actually panned in New Zealand.

Flight of the Conchords has a higher rating than almost any movie, like even Shawshank Redemption! The New Zealanders vote it up even though it's probably not that great to begin with.

You just can't accept the fact that the acclaim is coming from the US and UK can you?

I wonder if you're actually mentally ill.