The Flying Scotsman has two counts against it from the get-go: First, it's about cycling, a sport most Americans would rather ignore. And secondly, it's a sports movie without quite enough juice - even in those familiar, glossy cut-scenes in which an athlete in training huffs and puffs and sweats and screams. The flat story line follows the career of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree (Jonny Lee Miller) - who suffered from mental illness - without ever truly engaging the viewer.
We are meant to understand that a salvation of sorts lies in fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional cyclist. There is a salvation, finally, but it is purely aesthetic: The final racing scenes are sharp and exciting. Grade: C- The latest entry in the inspirational, true-story sports drama starts in 1970 when a plane crash kills almost all of Marshall University's football team.
So, when new coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) - whose optimism isn't so much glass half full as it is cup brimming over - tries to rebuild a team soon after, some townsfolk in Huntington, W. Va., wonder if it's too soon.
Director McG efficiently moves the plot to the end zone through a series of efficient blitzes without ever scoring an emotional touchdown. Fortunately, McConaughey has fun in the role, leavening a fairly mopey story. The DVD only has one bonus feature, but it's a terrific one: A documentary in which famous varsity coaches, including Bobby Bowden and Pat Summitt, talk about their philosophies on success.
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