Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman: Long Way Round - Special Edition
by David Alexanian, Russ Malkin
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Actor: Charley Boorman, David Alexanian, Ewan McGregor, James Simak, Russ MalkinDirector: David Alexanian, Russ Malkin
Writer: Ewan McGregor
Producer: Charley Boorman
Writer: Charley Boorman
Writer: David Alexanian
Writer: Russ Malkin
Producer: Alexis Alexanian
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: NTSC
Running Time: 1440 minutes
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: EMI
DVD Reviews of Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman: Long Way Round - Special Edition
DVD Review: How the other half doesn't live
Summary: 3 Stars
I have a love-hate dilemma with this docu made for TV special for several reasons. As a enormous fan of Ewan McGregor, the principle of a trip to experience the world seems a great notion, however, there is more to this story than simply two blokes out for a lark on bikes. This much touted adventure for the extreme sports fans as well featured the star and his best friend, actor Charlie Boorman, on BMW motorcycles on an around the world vacation.
Because of Ewan's star power, the pair are able to offset the cost of this adventure by hiring a television producer and charming companies to donate their equipment and services including two enormous BMW touring cycles, 4x4 SUVs, security equipment, camping equipment, designer duds for biking, tools, toolboxes, and the list goes on and on. They also had a contract with Bravo TV and a book deal in the bag. This is hardly a living off the land excursion, but an expedition that might turn into the ill-fated McGregor- Boorman Party.
Most offensive perhaps, is the statement that the adventure was to raise awareness and monies for UNICEF charities for children, not to profit McGregor and Boorman. Whether this is true is never revealed and if funds were raised for the organization, it's not disclosed, however, the television commercials and internet exposure was worldwide, much to McGregor's surprise. He doesn't seem to understand how expansive power of the web worldwide and is constantly complaining about undo press coverage infringing on their annonimity although much preparation had been undertaken on their behalf to ensure their safety through host countries.
Throughout the two discs set, McGregor and Boorman provide reality TV one-on-one interviews with their personal diaries of the day's activities. It is an informal discussion, usually provided after the pair have settled in for the evening and are about to retire. The humorous quips and obvious friendship and respect between McGregor and Boorman keeps the situation light, but as the conditions of the road deteriorate, so do the spirits of the star.
While Boorman struggles to remain healthy and keep the pair on the road, McGregor is at the mercy of his own off-road inexperience, away from wife, kiddies, and his security blanket, it is his own inability to be of tougher stuff that is exposed. He whines, they both whine, and when it becomes almost intolerable, they meet situations and people who live so far below their upper middle class standard and pampered lifestyle it becomes obscene to complain without their seeming hypocritical.
Although invited to share the food and homes of numerous kind folks along the way including Mongolian nomad herders, and other working class individuals, the experience of seeing the world as they've never known it is still trying for Ewan. It is only when the pair is exposed to the remains of the soviet block countries is there the beginning of any reality check for the pair. Children dying of radiation exposure from Chernobyl, abandoned street urchins living under the streets to survive the cold, and nomadic herders are so foreign to McGregor he is at times embarressingly childish and unprepared for the reality of such hard lives.
Only when the pair reach the United States, Alaska, through Canada, and into the northern states to NYC do the pair seem to relax among English speaking, cell-phone toting, westerners like themselves. But, it is during the hardship of the Road of Bones that McGregor seemed to finally grow up and with that experience under his belt, his entry to New York is a decided letdown.
I enjoy the two personalities, but the premise of how the other half lives has an uncomfortable aura of such western privilege in the face of poverty that it makes for uncomfortable watching through most of the series. Language is the least offensive of this documentary, the four letter words are actually refreshing. It was the sense that into the world rides the prince of BMW-land, with kit, mate Charley, and camera crew in tow. Just keep on truck'n, sir Ewan.
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