I have been waiting for ages to see this, and at one point I was tempted to buy the DVD from Prendas. I resisted, and I am pleased to say that it was worth the wait.
Every Film Festival there comes one film that amongst all the titles to be that stands out. I am sure that this year it is Road to Roubaix, judging by the fact that they had to add extra shows.
Making a Film about Roubaix is probably one of the hardest to make due to the mix of open roads and the tight cobbled lanes. Following in the footsteps of a 'A Sunday in Hell' is also a daunting prospect for anyone. Deal and Cooper have managed to capture some of the magic in the iconic film by Jorgen Leth, while at the same time capturing it from a different perspective.
The use of interviews adds weight to the pictures and moving images. In many ways if Rouleur made a film, this would embody much of the atmosphere of the magazine, yet at the same time this is very much a film of their own making. Rouleur and Masterlink are kindred spirits in the pursuit of conveying the pain, joy and beauty of Professional Cycle Racing.
The film itself focuses as much on the background information rather than solely on the race itself. The race action is short (or it feels like it), but what there is of it covers the basic outline to O'Grady's stunning win. I am an O'Grady fan so of course I would liked to have seen more of the pain and glory through suffering that led to holding the most famous trophy in cycling aloft.
The gravelly London voice of Johnny Green seems to suit the suffering portrayed on the screen, painting pictures in addition to those on the film. In contrast the softer tones of Guy Andrews adds a balance and harmony to the narrative pieces, with Andrews conveying his passion for the Classics in his own unique style.
You know when you have seen a good movie when you have left the theater you have wild ideas of popping off to Northern France for blast on the cobbles. I kept my lips tightly closed as I wanted to blurt out, right lets ride Roubaix the day before then watch the race on the Sunday. Hey who knows it may happen yet.
I'd recommend that you buy this, it is a great film and captures the essence of the race. I hope that the film makers go on to do some other races, as the drama and magic they brought to their first cycling film deserves to be used on the other monuments of cycling.
