This story of real life New Zealander Burt Munro reads like every Hollywood sports movie ever made: a likeable underdog pulls off various improbable feats to ultimately become the champion of his field. The big difference is that this time its true.The film follows Munro (Hopkins), a man in his sixties, on a crazy journey from his back shed in New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. His goal? To ride his beloved 40 year old Indian motorcycle, painstakingly restored and modified over many years, to a new land speed record in its class. We follow the story in episodic form, jumping between the important moments of Munro's journey as he meets all manner of people who help him on his way.This is a charming film which never falls into the trap of being overly sentimental or saccharine. While the story easily could have gone this way, Donaldson's direction and Hopkins's performance carry it over that all too familiar trap and the result is a truly heartwarming film which it's hard to be cynical about. Hopkins is exceptional in bringing the self-effacing Munro - a mix of doddering fool and determined hero - to life, his eyes often saying more than his lips. It may not be a film that will change the world, but it will certainly bring a smile to your face.