Legend.

johnsim

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.

score 8/10

johnsim 4 April 2010

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2231100/