StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Palaest recommended

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Blake Rivera If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

bigverybadtom The true story of Graeme Obree, living in poverty in Scotland, whose receipt of a bicycle as a gift during his childhood brings him joy-and eventual fame. But the road is not easy, even when he reaches the top.Losing his bicycle business, he uses effort and guile to create a homemade racing bicycle and get himself noticed by potential corporate sponsors so he can get into big-time bicycle racing. He succeeds, but one catch: the bicycle industry doesn't like the fact that Obree had been using a homemade bike, so they try to trip him up with all sorts of rule changes and finally succeed in pushing him back down. Along with his existing mental problems, Obree is back in the slums.But he makes a comeback and wins again, and the movie ends, though Obree's career (and unfortunately his mental problems) would continue long after. As for the movie itself, the pacing is right, the characters are credible, as is the story, and it gives the message that once you reach the top, the challenges still go on. Recommended.

Aaditya Swaroop What can a man do when he sets his eyes on something and backs it up with everything he has got? Its people like Graeme Obree who keep giving us answers to such questions. TFS is a tribute to Obree's superhuman determination and physical-limits-defying accomplishments. Its an inspiring work of cinema and did well in showing the viewers what Obree had to go through on his arduous journey.For me, this movie could have been so much more. There were some high points but some factors just pulled the movie down. The highlight of this movie were a few aspects of the direction by Douglas Mackinnon. The plot was honest & all about the protagonist, Graeme Obree. Obree's personal characteristics & his ingredients for success were aptly on display - raw grit, determination, stubborn, hard-headed, persevering, the hours & hours of practice, the unending sweat. The small things were nicely shown - race to earn that extra 100 bucks, orange & sugar sandwich to provide his body more sugar, "banana" principle for measuring the distance between legs, his exercise routine. Douglas Mackinnon was successful in showing these various aspects of Obree's life and bringing it all together for the viewer. A small mention here to the background music, especially in the first half. Whenever that specific instrumental music was played, it brought about a sense of hope and the thought that either Obree will come up with a new idea or something magical from Obree would follow. Pumped up the tempo !But the same direction & maybe sheer laziness at it, left me asking for more. I would have liked it better if more time was spent on the primary two things which were different about Obree - cycle and his position. After all, these two things were instrumental for Obree's success. I needed to understand that how can a bicycle made from washing machine parts compete with a bike made by a computer and costed half a million? Though I would not have understood the technicalities, but if the laws of physics (as applied on Obree's bike) were explained in the movie in layman's language, it would have added to the AWE factor. I still don't know why & how Obree arrived at his first cycling position and then to the superman position (was it just the box in the fridge?)Another low point in the movie and direction/screenplay was the lack of time spent on building up Obree's character. Obree's mental health status could have been delved into in a better & detailed manner. Would have given the viewer a better perspective as to why he tried to commit suicide. I could just guess that his championship loss coupled with his disturbed frame of mind (owing to his childhood bully-memories) led him to end his life. The contrast of the character puzzled me - on one hand, this guy had superhuman grit and perseverance, and on the other hand he was easily disturbed when his childhood bully (now an adult) insults him on the loss of championship.Jonny Lee Miller was a revelation in the movie. He aptly portrayed what Obree had to go through to achieve what he did. I am sure he could have handled a much more complex Obree's character. Summary - TFS was a good watch. It wasn't exactly an underdog story but Obree had to fight for all his achievements. All such stories have a feel-good factor attached to them and when all the cinematic aspects come together to create a good piece of cinema, it leaves the viewer with a nice sense of the protagonist's achievement. TFS had some good parts but sadly, it wasn't inspirational. I think the confusion was whether the team wanted to make a sports movie or good dramatic cinema. It came close to both. 7 out of 10 for me.

John Sim Myth and Legend is all we have of Graeme Obree with all the local cyclists around Ayrshire (Scotland). So many stories of Obree in his youth! Was it him who the cycling club asked to take the shopping basket off his bike before running it a race? A race he won? I had to read the book to find out more. Then the film was made and through a long process finally released and DVD'd. It's an amazing story, and you'd think it was a Hollywood work of fiction.Graeme tried to beat the one-hour record and failed. Yet, his determination was to try again less than 24 hours later. Driven by his depression, he fought to beat himself to that record.Let down by UK cycling where he received none of the funding of other high-profile cyclists, he innovated new riding styles and pushed himself further. Only to find the governing body of cycling to ban his innovations.Even when Graeme was accepted in to the professional cycling world it was on a condition that he couldn't accept - to cheat. Graeme refused to take performance enhancing drugs.Throughout all this his darkest enemy of depression haunts him. But one person stands by him: His wife, Anne.This film only gives a glimpse of Obree's struggles, yet, it's funny and uplifting. Sure, it's low budget, but when you have actors such as Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Boyd working with a terrific script you need little else.Graeme Obree. Legend.

Graham Muir Having read the book several years ago, and recalled the achievements of Graeme Obree back in the early nineties, I knew that this film would at least be inspiring. In some ways, this film reminded me of the last Scottish athlete to be given the nickname 'The Flying Scotsman', the great Eric Liddle. Both were criticised for their unorthodox styles, even though it gained them great success and honour. Both men, also engendered wide criticism, although for different reasons. The film is honest and direct, as it deals with issues like bullying and depression, which are suffered by so many. Like Obree, many people try to deal with such problems on their own. Jonny Lee Miller does well to portray the agony and ecstasy of professional competition. Laura Fraser(Ann Obree) plays his supportive wife, serenely, but with an underlying earthiness. His friend and manager Malky(Billy Boyd) follows his highs and lows. Douglas Baxter plays the wise local parish minister, Brian Cox, who offers his workshop and scrap metal, along with much needed moral support. Cox is almost a second father figure to young Obree. With the addition of the obvious high drama of the competitions, this film is superb.