La bicicleta (2006) Reviews

• upbeat and sunny, a real feel gooder with bikes thrown in - what more!

  cmal2006-07-25

  Romance at every turn, despite some raw edges it's a very positive, beautifully shot film with an ultimately very upbeat message about the human condition with - joy - the bicycle as the vehicle which unites the different life stories here. It has to have been made by a urban cyclist, a real labour of love. Without battering any points home, it laments the loss of humanity in progress and city development, OK, not an original concept, but it's humorously treated and from my experience of differing groups of people trying to battle with the high handedness of higher authorities, actually quite true to life. And if there's a little bit of naivety here and there? so what. And quite scary the way they bump those poor bikes up and down the kerbs? What the heck? And why is everyone so good looking in Valencia? Pilar Bardem is gorgeous as the long-suffering henpecked wife who rediscovers her youth and sex appeal and the little guy, a wonderful actor already. And love that cop! i can't wait to buy it on DVD when it comes out. A treasure.