The Flying Scotsman

The loneliness of the long distance cyclist is studied in this film adaptation of Graham Obree's autobiography. The film has a lot of heart, with Jonny Lee Miller's sympathetic portrayal of manic depression supported by Billy Boyd's plucky coach, Brian Cox's mysterious confidant, and Stephen Berkoff's nasty foreign cycling official. The film hails Obree's high points, such as his pioneering of the Superman cycling position and the famous 'washing machine bike', and laments his near-suicidal lows. Despite real drama and well-executed race scenes, the film somehow manages to be quite pedestrian, mainly due to its unadventurous direction that wouldn't look out of place in an ITV drama. The story goes to some dark places and the look and feel of a Bill Forsyth comedy does not do it justice. But this is a minor grievance of style that can be overlooked to find a decent story of a man overcoming all odds to prove himself to himself. [Alec McLeod]