American Flyers (1985. Kevin Costner Rae Dawn Chong. Written by Steve Tesich)
Two competitive brothers train for a grueling three-day bicycle race in Colorado while tangling with personal drama, including the specter that one of them may have inherited dad's tendency for cerebral aneurysms ad is sure to drop dead during a bike race soon. Written by bike movie specialist Steve Tesich ("Breaking Away") with a lot of the usual cliches (the last bike ride, battling brothers, eventual understanding), which are gracefully overridden by fine bike-racing photography. Interesting performances, especially Chong as a patient girlfriend and Amos as the trainer.
Breaking Away (1979. Dennis Quaid. Written by Steve Tesich. 1 Oscar Award and 4 other Nominations)
A light-hearted coming-of-age drama about a high school graduate's addiction to bicycle racing, whose dreams are tested against the realities of a crucial race. An honest, open look at present Americana with tremendous insight into the minds of average youth; shot on location at Indiana University. Great bike-racing photography. The actors give exceptional performances. Basis for television series.
Off the Mark (1987)
Neely is a young athlete suffering from a childhood affliction that causes spasms in his legs. Facing the ultimate challenge, he must overcome his handicap and defeat a talented woman athlete and a Russian student in a triathlon competition. An unremarkable effort, it had a limited one-week run in theaters.
Rad (1986, 91 min.)
Teenage drama revolving around BMX racing and such dilemmas as: can the good guys beat the bad guys, who's got the fastest bike, must you cheat to win, and should our hero miss his SAT tests to compete in "the big race". Directed by stunt-expert Hal Needham. ( IMDB )
Ten Speed (1976)
Two advertising executives compete in a 400-mile bicycle race from San Francisco to Malibu.
The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
"When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters--an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire--to rescue him." (more from the IMDB , and from Sony Pictures )
2 Seconds
"A champion mountain bike racer named Laurie (Charlotte Laurier) hesitates at the start gate, and the two seconds lost cost her the race--and her place on the team. Forced into retirement, she meets Lorenzo (Dino Tavarone), a cantankerous Italian bike shop owner and former champion himself. Their mutual love and appreciation of cycling draw them together in spite of initial clashes. One night, they decide to face each other in a peculiar duel. Lorenzo shows Laurie how every victory is relative and that -- speaking of relativity -- speed is not the only way to bring time to a halt. 100 min. In French with English Subtitles." ( Wolfe Video )
Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert (2001, France)
A comedy about a fictional Belgian bike racer. (more at the IMDB ) |
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