听 User Rating 
Contains strong language
Jonny Lee Miller pulls on the lycra for The Flying Scotsman, the true story of an eccentric cyclist who went for the world one-hour speed record 鈥 and all on a homemade bike. Laura Fraser is the patient wife, Billy Boyd the bright-eyed little chum and Brian Cox the mysterious mentor in this formulaic but ultimately satisfying story about a little guy taking on the big boys of the international cycling scene.
If you've seen any sports movies before, you'll know what to expect from this homespun drama, although at least it doesn't involve underprivileged kids being reformed by a barking baseball coach. This is a one-man-against-the-world job: think of a dumbed-down Chariots Of Fire. Graeme was bullied at school; now he wants to prove himself as a champ, and heads off to Germany to attempt a record. But will stiff competition and draconian rules rob him of his chance?
"FAILS TO GET UNDER THE CHARACTER'S SKIN"
Well, we know he'll win in the end, but it's quite fun cheering him on. The rise, fall and rise again structure is enjoyable, and Miller and co put in likeable performances. But Obree's well-documented bipolar disorder isn't explored in the film: brief expositionary dialogue refers to him being "depressed", but this fails to get under the character's skin. A great sports movie should have audiences shedding blood, sweat and tears along with the hero 鈥 Obree is watched from a distance. As a result, The Flying Scotsman delivers an ending that's undeniably uplifting, but not as jubilant as it could have been.
The Flying Scotsman is out in the UK on 29 June
Much more than a simple sports movie.
