Here's the thing: Graeme Obree's actual story is incredible—this guy built a bike from washing machine parts in his kitchen and broke world records while battling serious mental illness. That's legitimately inspiring.

But this 2006 film? It's... fine. Just fine. The 51% on Rotten Tomatoes tells you everything—critics were split, audiences were split, and honestly, it shows. The movie has good intentions and Jonny Lee Miller does solid work, but the execution is workmanlike and the pacing drags. For modern teens used to slick sports biopics, this will feel slow and dated.

The mental health content is both the film's strength and its challenge. It's honest about depression and bipolar disorder, which is valuable, but it also means this is heavy viewing that requires the right audience and timing. The suicide attempt scene alone means you need to be thoughtful about who watches this and when.

Bottom line: If you've got a teen who's into cycling, interested in mental health topics, or loves underdog true stories, this could spark great conversations. But don't expect Rudy or Remember the Titans energy—this is more subdued, more Scottish, and frankly, less watchable for the average kid in 2025.