The World's Fastest Indian (PG-13)

Hopkins' joyous romp is a little slow for kids.

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Movie details

Studio: Magnolia Pictures
Directed By: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Iain Rea, Tessa Mitchell
Running Time: 127 minutes
Release Date: 04/02/2005
Video/DVD Release Date: 06/13/2006
Genre: Action/adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA Explanation: sexuality, violence and drug use

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that Burt is an iconoclast -- he doesn't follow rules, ignores authorities, and tries to sweet-talk his way out of everything. While nothing here is particularly violent or sexual, Burt's antics may prompt kids to follow that example. Burt also lights his lawn on fire when a neighbor complains that his unkempt yard is lowering property values, and sleeps with two different women and flirts with a third.

Families can talk about the joy Burt takes in following his dreams. When you're going after the things you like, do you have fun, or do you take it seriously? This is also a good time to talk about appropriate behavior. Is it OK for Burt to behave the way he does? What's enjoyable about watching Burt go against the social norms?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Burt doesn't follow rules and tries to talk people into bending the rules for him. He speeds and gets pulled over by a cop, pees on his tree and teaches a neighborhood boy to do the same, lights his yard on fire when he hears that a neighbor thinks his lawn is lowering property values. Burt also accepts everyone just the way they are and expresses the joy of following his dreams.

Consumerism:

Indian, a motorcycle brand, is prominently featured.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Burt doesn't drink or smoke and lectures others to abstain as well -- but many of the people around him do smoke and drink.

Violence

Burt drives on the wrong side of the road, nearly causing several accidents. Burt witnesses a car accident caused by road rage that's played for laughs. A rattlesnake nearly bites Burt. Burt sets his lawn on fire when he hears that the neighbors think his unkempt lawn is lowering property values. When he races, Burt takes few precautions and crashes a few times.

Sex

Burt sleeps separately with two different women. Both times, the women are shown naked and covered by sheets in bed. Burt kisses Doris and Ada, but there's nothing more graphic than that. Burt is solicited by hookers and befriends and kisses a drag queen.

Language

Some salty language, including "hell," "testicles," "bastard," "goddamn," "prick," "chickens--t," and "ass."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Heather Boerner

THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN follows the adventures of eccentric and determined New Zealander Burt Monro (Anthony Hopkins) as he tries to set a land-speed record on his 1920s motorcycle. Burt takes very few things seriously. He pees on his lemon tree (because it fertilizes the tree, he tells a neighbor boy); he revs his ancient motorcycle's engine before dawn, waking the neighborhood; and generally enjoys himself regardless of social norms. When Burt finds out some bad news, he decides to finally pursue his dream: set a land-speed record on that old bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Along the way, Burt fixes used cars, befriends a proper-looking drag queen, sleeps with two different women, and spends the night with a Native American man who gives him a folk remedy for prostate problems.

Is it any good?

Lots of movies exalt the virtues of following your dreams, but few do it with such joy as The World's Fastest Indian. Hopkins turns in an infectious performance as the eccentric and crotchety Munro. You can tell Hopkins loves playing a wild man who does a little dance for his gal pal and gets by on his considerable charm. He's positively giddy, even when driving the wrong way on a one-way street or dodging a rattlesnake's bite.

The moral here is you don't have to be rich, you don't have to be young, and you don't have to be urbane to go after your dreams. You can be a crotchety old man who's never been outside his small town. It's a great message for insecure teens. Unfortunately, the film is unlikely to maintain their interest. It's odd that a movie about speed is so slow and belabored. There are certainly great parts, but teens may not stick around to discover them.