Red Light Go (2003)

Emphasis on lifestyle, not job or racing

This DVD was given to me by someone who thought that, after reading my review of the wonderful film, "Breaking Away," I would like "Red Light Go," a documentary on the bicycle messengers of New York City and the "alleycat" races they run. "Red Light Go" turned out to be a documentary on a topic that is of little interest to me, but I will review it and stick to commenting on its quality.

The documentary introduces a set of alleycat racers, and then rotates through interviews with them, as they comment on their lives, how they got into their current lifestyle, what they think of each other, a little about the bicycle messenger job, and a lot about the "alleycat" races. These races are semi-structured, grueling, urban bicycle races, arranged by some of the participants.

As to the quality of the DVD, first of all, the cinematography is great. The viewer feels like he or she is right there with these alleycat racers, during the races, during their "day jobs" as messengers, and during their social gatherings.

Secondly, the title and the cover image give a very accurate impression of what the documentary is about. At first, I was expecting it to be about bicycle messengers in general. Through the different interviews, it becomes clear to me that the "alleycat racers" are a subset of bicycle messengers, who have developed their own subculture or counter-culture. What sets them apart are some of the same factors that set apart the participants in any "extreme" variation of any sport: pushing the limits, taking risks, and enjoying the thrill of the danger involved. Many of them also dress in ways that clearly identify them as extreme, non-conformist, and counter-culturists.

Thirdly, there is a fair amount of profanity mixed into the interviews, as well as quite a few references to substance abuse. One of the "alleycat" races even involves the participants carrying bags of items that look like illegal drugs, adding the possibility that the police might stop them and they would run the risk of having to explain their way out of drug charges. That is just considered as one more obstacle in the race.

Fourthly, this documentary is much more about the alleycat racers than about the alleycat races. The big Halloween race, following a pentagram-in-a-circle-shaped route through rush-hour traffic in New York City, is shown in pretty good detail, although the traffic and the twindling daylight make it hard to follow the action. Otherwise, the documentary is mainly about the racers and their lives.

Fifthly, even at my height of bicycling involvement, I would not have wanted to be involved in these alleycat races, as the documentary makes two things clear: there is little regard for the safety of the pedestrians and automobile drivers; winning the races has as much to do with being loud and pushy at the checkpoints, as it does with being fast. I loved to ride because I loved the speed and the accomplishment involved in going new places and exploring.

If you are looking for a DVD about bicycle racing, check out "Breaking Away." If you want to learn about what it would be like to be a bicycle messenger in a big city, look elsewhere. But, if you want to find out about the counter-culture that exists among the bicycle messengers who are also alleycat racers, "Red Light Go" is exactly what you're looking for. I learned a lot about this group and the counter-culture they have developed, and the documentary is well-done technically. March 26, 2006

Entertaining and well executed documentary!

This documentary is a good example of how to assemble a documentary professionally, and use editing to bring the narrative to a thrilling and entertaiing finish. Errol Morris is the master documentary filmmaker of our time, but anyone who makes them has to figure out a way to bring the narrative to a close, rahter than leave it hanging. This is the most entertaining documentary I've seen this year. It focuses on bike messengers in NYC and the allycat races they put on throughout each year. It is a detailed look into their culture, and gives them a face and identity. Messengers take risks and sometimes have injured pedestrians. This documentary does not try to apologize for that. It is a chance for the messengers to tell their stories and express themselves, and tell the audience how they want to be accepted and appreciated. I actually see them in a whole new light thanks to this DVD. And the final act explaining the annual Haloween race, and the legendary daredevil Evil E, is thrilling and provides the perfect finale for this film. Shot and edited over 3 years, Red Light Go is a worthy addition to any documentary collection. It is unrated, and contains mild profanity. But teenagers and adults alike who are either into extreme sports or curious about the lives of messengers should see this. November 7, 2005

Courier Rat Races

Red Light Go! is the engaging tale of cycle couriers in New York and how they organise alley cat races. Alley cat races are cycle races across an urban environment. It focuses on the riders rather than the action and is all the better for it.

One of the best documentaries I've seen in years, well made and with a real empathy for its subject.

It did make me want to buy a fixie (fixed wheel bike) so beware September 19, 2005

Exceedinly well done independant documentary...

Big cities have a vibe. Sometimes the vibe is the people and sometimes it's the inanimate feeling of its buildings, streets and parks. NYC is both. Red Light Go captures a microcosm of NYC by profiling the people who move envelopes and packages from one side of the city to the other on a bicycle. Bicycle messengers have a mystique unlike any other. They are admired by some and reviled by others. Red Light Go captures this beautifully. In up close and personal interviews with several messengers we learn what makes them tick and how they feel about the challenges they face day to day. It also captures their love of a transportation option for many of us: the bicycle. Yac, Mike Dee, Amy and Squid live their life exactly the way they want, in their city and on their terms. Even if you aren't a bicycle fanatic you will like this movie. Picture a bicycle race on the streets of NYC at evening rush hour with messengers having to ride back and forth across the city six times competing to be first on streets filled with traffic. This is one of several messenger races captured in Red Light Go. It also captures the simplicity of what many of us do five days a week. Work. This independent documentary shares the spirit of NYC and some of the unique people who give it life. Well done with crisp editing. Who needs special effects. Just watch a messenger ride between a transit bus and taxi with inches to spare. I've watched this several times already and have shared with many others. It's that good. June 7, 2005

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