Steinesongo Too many fans seem to be blown away

SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

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.

Cedric_Catsuits They say "you couldn't make it up" about a lot of strange tales, and in this case the theory holds true. This is an amazing true story about the battle between one flawed and impoverished "little" man against the corporate giants of the (cycling) world. And the little man wins. What more could you ask for?! The stage is irrelevant, the cycling is a backdrop that does not detract in any way from this as a film masterpiece worthy of critical acclaim. JLM is magnificent as the hugely talented but deeply troubled Obree, ably assisted by Billy Boyd and Brian Cox in strong supporting roles.The fact that it is set against the beautiful backwaters of Scotland and the cast are largely British unknowns, adds to the charm. A heart-warming and inspirational story turned into very watchable entertainment.

TxMike The story is great but the movie itself is a bit rough. Directed by a TV director, it often seems rough in its continuity. But in spite of that it is a very worthwhile movie of a great true story.Jonny Lee Miller is Graeme Obree, Glasgow road biker who finds the reality of making ends meet. His bicycle shop is not making money so he is forced to close it and work as a bike messenger. (Not so coincidentally my oldest son, a competitive biker in his 20s in the late 1990s also worked as a bike messenger in a large city.) Obree had some difficulties as a boy, mainly because his dad was in law enforcement. Some of the older, larger bullies who had shady dads would abuse young Obree, and in one scene holding him down as they urinated on him. But he never told on them, instead held it inside which contributed to his bouts of depression as an adult. Billy Boyd of 'LOTR' fame plays fellow bike messenger Malky, who becomes Obree's manager when Obree decides to break the records for the one-hour interval around a velodrome track. This was in 1993/1994 and Obree, inspired from different sources, designs and builds his own bike with radical new features. A good movie about the triumph of the human spirit amidst difficulty and controversy.