Quicksilver (1986)

Wildcats versus Hawks - 6 to 6

This was on television earlier today. It's a horribly dated film. Bad pacing, bad music, with not much of a plot. Also, I'd suggest not eating at Dante's. And please, try not to kill the messengers. January 27, 2007

The only movie that makes you want to be a NYC bike messenger

This movie should not be taken too seriously. It is about a Wall Street trader in the 80s who loses it all on one big gamble and chooses to follow his passion: riding bikes. Being a bike messenger in NYC is not lucrative, nor is it very appealing to anyone unless you really like to ride, which Bacon's character does. So the plot, while seemingly unrealistic, is at its most basic level about throwing away the business suit and choosing to do what makes you happy, regardless of the financial costs.

The movie is great if you're a fan of cycling, especially of fixed gear cycling. There are a number of scenes where the riders do some cool tricks, like when they are hanging out in front of the dispatch and when Bacon is in his ridiculously large warehouse loft. If you look closely at the bikes during the impromptu 'trick show' you'll see that they are specially geared bikes (maybe, 20-16 gearing) for doing those kind of tricks. Most of the scenes have Bacon riding a fixed gear bike, but some have him on with a freewheeler. The final chase scene of 'Bike vs Car' is just comical, but so is most of the movie.

I think it's definitely worth watching just for an entertaining throw-back to the 80s and to see Laurence (Larry) Fishburn and Paul Rodriguez in great roles. Highly recommended for cycling fans and anyone who's ever been or considered being a messenger! July 21, 2006

Defense of Jamie Gertz

I'm writing because I thought Fine's review was bad.
I was interested in this movie because it has Jamie Gertz, who has proven to be a durable, dependable character actress. Mr. Fine may or may not have talent but he is not spectacular. Waspishness insults are passe and not becoming to a serious reviewer. Ms. Gertz, by contrast, turns an abundance of personality to good account through her career. I just don't know what "untalented" means in the context of this silly movie, but it was twenty years ago. Is the insult intended to be forthe movie or for her whole career since? kBad form and fuzzy thinking.

I think the movie is an attempt to imitate features of Flashdance: upbeat background music, meaningless but interesting visuals, skill display, romance, people with aspirations surviving at a humble level. Jamie Gertz is the "face" girl. May 24, 2006

Fine entertainment for cycling fans, less so for others

I don't know where the editorial reviewer got the idea that there's an "uprising ... against the evil bosses" at the end of this movie. There's no such thing, the climax of the movie is a showdown on the street with a vicious drug dealer. Perhaps the reviewer didn't actually watch the movie...

There's lots of great footage of urban cycling, even if some of it is a tad unrealistic. It's a fast-paced movie with lots of cycling action and actually has a multiple interesting plot lines, not related to cycling. October 10, 2005

not the most realistic movie but still a great one

Yes, this movie is kind of unrealistic but so what. And just to re-clear up the bike thing. It wasn't a coaster brake bike like you had on your old banana seat bike when you were a kid. It's a track bike with a fixed gear. Which means the pedals spin as long as the rear wheel spins. And backward pressure slows your speed but does not completely stop it.That why he always jumped off the back and grabed the seat when he wanted to stop quickly. That is also why anyone crazy enough to ride a track bike on the street usually has a front brake installed. Look at the scenes where he is freestyling in his apartment. He is pedaling backward. This can only be done on a fixed gear. No coaster brake. If you look really closely at some of the scenes you will be able to see different bikes. Like when Bacon rides down the stairs, you can see the bike he's on has brakes. Obviously for the stunt. But I really like this movie. I've been a messenger and I always wanted the place I worked to be like that movie. We never went outside and freestyle in the street while the boom box played. And hot girls never gave me their phone number. But we get to see Lawrence Fishburne as Voodoo when was still know as Larry. And that's worth the 13 bucks right there. June 30, 2005

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