THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN — *** 1/2 — Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Murphy, Diane Ladd; rated PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, violence).

For the past decade or so, Anthony Hopkins has repeatedly made threats about retiring from film acting. If that were true, he couldn't find a better swan song than "The World's Fastest Indian."

Not that fans have anything to worry about; Hopkins is attached to at least seven upcoming films!

"The World's Fastest Indian" casts Hopkins in the role of eccentric New Zealand motorcycle enthusiast Burt Munro. It would be an ideal one for any older actor, and it's clear that Hopkins — at his loosest and most likable — had a great time playing him.

The film is based on the true story of how Munro got from New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he attempted to set a land-speed record. As the story opens, he's living in a ramshackle garage where he continuously tunes up his motorcycle, while saving the money he needs to make the trip to Utah. But a few health concerns are threatening to get in the way. Fortunately, some of his neighbors come to Burt's aid, as do several strangers he meets along the way.

The film does feel like it's a little overstuffed with characters sometimes. Among the people Burt meets during the U.S. leg of his trip are a cross-dressing motel clerk (Chris Williams), a used-car salesman (Paul Rodriguez) and a lonely widow (Diane Ladd) who helps him repair his makeshift motorcycle trailer. Not all of these subplots are crucial, but they're never boring.

The best relationship in the movie is the one Burt shares with Thomas (Aaron Murphy), a young boy who lives next door to him and who tries to help his aging friend.

As Munro, Hopkins employs a convincing New Zealand accent that never feels forced. And neither does his performance.

Also, screenwriter/director Roger Donaldson ("Thirteen Days") deftly balances the dramatic and comic elements, creating a story that, like Munro, is a little eccentric but not off-puttingly so.

While Hopkins does help propel this earnest and adventurous drama, there is also a surprising amount of heart and warmth.

Like the 1920 Indian motorcycle that Munro races, the film sputters a bit as it starts out. But it slowly gains speed and momentum, earning a kinship to David Lynch's similarly winning and low-key film "The Straight Story" (1999).

"The World's Fastest Indian" is rated PG-13 for crude humor and references, including some innuendo and bodily function humor, occasional use of strong profanity, some drug content (mostly use of prescription heart medicine), and some vehicular violence (as well as an animal attack). Running time: 127 minutes.

---

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com