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Format: Theatrical Release
May 2007
Rated PG-13
Recording Mode: (unknown)
96 min.
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Movie Description
THE FLYING SCOTSMAN follows the standard blueprint for a sports film: underdog overcomes obstacles to become a champion--but adds the element of the hero's real-life mental illness to make an engaging drama. Jonny Lee Miller (TRAINSPOTTING) plays Graeme Obree, a Scottish cyclist who is seemingly past his prime. He has gone from winning races to running a losing bike shop, but he can't be called a quitter. When he learns his old rival will race for a record, Graeme decides to get back in the game. His wife (Laura Fraser, A KNIGHT'S TALE), a fellow avid cyclist (Billy Boyd, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING), and a friend (Brian Cox, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS) all join him in his quest. Though his opponent's bike boasts $500,000 in engineering, Graeme builds his from scratch, even dismantling a washing machine to make the perfect bike. In addition to his lack of a designer cycle, Graeme also struggles with a mental illness that makes it difficult for him to get out of bed, much less try for a world record. But despite his troubles, Graeme is stubborn and driven, and Miller ably captures the zeal of the real-life athlete. Cox may be best known as a villain in films such as X2, but it's fascinating to see him play such a sympathetic character here.
For those who love sports movies (or even just dramas in general), THE FLYING SCOTSMAN begs comparison to CHARIOTS OF FIRE. For most people, cycling doesn't hold the thrill of the typical spectator sports such as basketball or baseball, and one might assume that extends to the movie as well. But thanks to its strong characters and the novelty of a film about cycling, THE FLYING SCOTSMAN deserves a look. It could have benefited from developing the mental illness aspect of the plot, but it still adds an interesting element to what would've been a standard film.
Industry Reviews
"[A]n inspirational yarn with soundtrack to match, professionally made and solidly performed....A meatily physical film of considerable surface and with a committed central turn..."
Sight and Sound - Lucy Dylan (07/01/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "An outstanding, irresistible true-life British drama....Delicate and affecting..."
Ultimate DVD - Jason Caro (11/23/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "Miller is on good form, and Billy Boyd, as his friend and manager, is utterly winning....Intensely likeable and very inspiring."
Empire - Kat Brown (12/01/2007)
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