Beijing Bicycle (subtitles)

Among other things, this import provides a fascinating look at congested urban living in China today. The story line is deceptively simple, i.e. a clash between two young men over the ownership of a bicycle. The underlying theme could be the corrupting influence of capitalistic ventures and materialism. That would fit with what I know about Chinese politics or it might have been just a means to achieve bureaucratic acceptability. Regardless, the social interactions depicted really apply everywhere to all peoples.

I found the dramatic presentation of the story particularly interesting primarily because of the paucity of dialog. It was replaced with physical postures, pantomimes of emotion and some engaging cinematography. I liked this camera work, the background music and the use of pantomime in the film.

Guei is the protagonist, a young man arriving in the big city from the country. He is hired by the Fei Da courier service where he can work to own his bicycle. Guei is shy and almost pathologically non-verbal, which places him at a disadvantage in urban life. Jian, the anti-protagonist, acquires the same bicycle and how that happens is intrinsic to the plot. His family is upward mobile; Im guessing middle class. Jian is a nasty determined kid, verbal, a scholar and supported by his clich of rough boys.

There are some chase scenes on foot and on bicycle no high-powered cars or ten car collisions in Beijing. Also expect teen violence, battering, no deaths. Watch for the scenes portraying family at home, cooking, traffic Beijing today. This is the first film I have seen from present day China and I was impressed.

Reviewed May 7, 2003