Review

Go Grandriders!

Rating: Three and a half stars

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Step aside, Peter Fonda. The easy riders in Hua Tian-hao’s documentary are much cooler than you and living a dream more suited to daredevils a fraction of their average age. They’re the Grandriders — 17 octogenarians whose ailments include cancer, heart disease, arthritis and hearing loss, but who were determined to complete a 13-day, 1,178-kilometre motorcyle trip around Taiwan, proving that “Miracles do happen as long as you continue to dream.” The 2007 challenge, organized by the Hondao Senior Citizens Welfare Foundation to promote physical and mental health, is an ideal foundation to showcase the dreams of these inspiring characters — includng a retired police officer, priest, tax collector and Kamikaze pilot instructor — while shrewdly reflecting upon Taiwan’s turbulent past. It’s an inspirational, emotionally involving ride that will resonate with local seniors who dare to dream, and should be seen by anyone who’s been spending too much time at their own pity party.

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