Quicksilver (1986): I Want to Ride My Bicycle.
I wonder if bike messengers watch this film and think “Kevin Bacon is the only guy who understands us!” Nah, they probably hate it. In the opening scene Jack Casey (Kevin Bacon) pays a cab driver to race a bike messenger through the streets of San Francisco. It’s no surprise that the messenger wins, leaving behind only a maroon beret that flies off during the pursuit. Foreshadowing! In the blink of an eye Jack goes from on top of the world wealthy floor trader to tail between his legs “I lost your life savings dad” guy. His flesh colored Spencer Pratt douche stash shaved away, his hair grown out, three piece suit traded in for a blazer with a tee shirt, we see him walking through a tide of bustling working class folks. Just moments later he’s whizzing through the streets on a bike like it’s his job. Oh wait, it IS his new job!
There’s no explanation of why he goes from stockbroker to bike messenger, as apparently these are the only two jobs available in the bay. How does their economy survive? The crew at his new job is a mixed bag: Paul Rodriguez is a lovable schlub trying to start his own business. Laurence Fishburne is the broody drug dealing messenger. Jami Gertz is the pretty street rat learning the ropes and Louie Anderson appears in a bit role as Tiny, a fat guy who just kinda stands next to a bicycle throughout the film. When the deliveries are through they all peacock in front of the shop performing acrobatic acts on bicycles to terrible soundtrack filler. These moments, along with scenes of the crew jetting through traffic are fun and exhilarating. Yet when then the movie tries to get deep with Bacon squinting and saying “When I’m on the streets I feel free” and everyone trying to convince him to get a “real” job you’ll find yourself thinking “Please stop talking and do fun tricks on your bike already”. Sadly it doesn’t happen.
