Beijing Bicycle

Name: Beijing Bicycle
Genre: Drama
Released: January 25, 2002
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Lin Cui, Xun Zhou

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critics

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

See All

7.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

BEIJING BICYCLE

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: January 25, 2002

Starring: Lin Cui, Xun Zhou

Summary: The story of two teenagers who endeavor to share a highly valued bicycle after a dispute over its ownership.

Director: Xiaoshuai Wang

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 113 min

See All Details and Credits

Awards & Rankings

44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2002

Watch Now

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

With this masterful, flawless film, Xiaoshuai emerges in the front ranks of China's now numerous, world-renowned filmmakers. Read full review

The A.V. Club - Scott Tobias

Even without its bleak and affecting story, Beijing Bicycle would work beautifully as a travelogue alone. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Rick Groen

Beijing Bicycle is a good film that owes a huge debt to a better film. And that, of course, is Vittorio De Sica's "The Bicycle Thief." Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Ernest Hardy

Had Xiaoshuai trusted audience sympathies to stay with a slightly more forceful character, he'd likely have crafted the heart tugger that the film aims to be. Read full review

Washington Post - Desson Thomson

Beautifully filmed and very atmospheric in terms of evoking the sights and sounds of modern-day Beijing, this Chinese movie suffers a flat tire about halfway through. Read full review

Boston Globe - Chris Fujiwara

Hard, gleaming images and an oblique storytelling style come to Wang the way the bike comes to Jian -- secondhand. Read full review

Variety - Derek Elley

Overplays its slim hand by a good two reels. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Michael

Oct 2, 2005

First, this is a film, not a movie. Second, it is very well done and provides far more than worthy entertainment, it is informative, intelligent and thought provoking. Third, for me, it helps me get closer to my home away from home. I spend 3 to 4 months each year in Beijing for business First, this is a film, not a movie. Second, it is very well done and provides far more than worthy entertainment, it is informative, intelligent and thought provoking. Third, for me, it helps me get closer to my home away from home. I spend 3 to 4 months each year in Beijing for business over the course of about 4 trips. I have done so for several years. This is by far my favorite film about Chinese life in the major cities. However, it does require intelligence to understand the film. It also requires experience in China to recognize some subtleties. My only dissappointment is that I wish it had developed more the story of class difference - I think it missd some great opportunities that would have provided real insight for westerners who are interested in China as it goes through its current transition into capitalism, but have not had real opportunity to examine it either on location or other means. As a story in itself, it is clealy influenced by other films, but quite frankly, every movie I have ever seen is influenced by something that preceded it. This is a wonderful film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CharlieC.

Nov 19, 2006

Lordy, lordy..... it was like watching a really bad soap opera. In all movies the viewer is required at some point to simply "believe" and enjoy. A this clunker progressed there was less and less to believe. Bad beyond bad. Watch it only if you think you are going to live forever and Lordy, lordy..... it was like watching a really bad soap opera. In all movies the viewer is required at some point to simply "believe" and enjoy. A this clunker progressed there was less and less to believe. Bad beyond bad. Watch it only if you think you are going to live forever and therefore feel you can afford to waste over 90 minutes of your time on earth.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 19 REVIEWS