This review originally appeared on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s “Roll Film” movie review site (http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=219_0_6_0). Each film was also reviewed by my CBF colleague, Greg Borzo, who focused more on the bike content.
2 SECONDS
3 Wheels
A breathtaking shot at the beginning of 2 Seconds shows a steep mountain drop from the point of view of a bicycle wheel. The scenery is beautiful, but the dizzying incline of the drop might cause one to pause. In fact, it causes Laurie, an intense, young downhill racing pro, to pause for exactly two seconds. These two seconds cost her the big race and her position on the team.
Turns out, this movie isn't about downhill racing at all, which is somewhat disappointing because these initial shots are something to see. Instead, Laurie relocates to Montreal to pursue a life as a bike messenger. As we meet her fellow messengers, I had expectations that perhaps we would get the inside story on the bike courier culture and what makes them risk life and limb to get a delivery there on time.
2 Seconds isn't really about that either. The movie's flaw is that it seems to want to be about so much that it keeps introducing themes only to abandon them soon afterwards. Its charm is that one of these story strands works so well that it does make the film worth seeing.
Charlotte Laurier plays Laurie as a dedicated athlete with a childlike innocence. Her performance struck me as slightly familiar, and I realized that she reminded me of Audrey Tautou in the wonderful French film, Amelie. Besides both performances being in French, both actresses have the ability to express many emotions just through their eyes. Laurier has the added advantage of a crew cut to ensure focus on her large eyes.
Laurie's bike is not only her livelihood, but her life. When it begins to break down, a regular repair shop will not do, so she takes it to an out-of-the-way shop run by a stern old man. This is Lorenzo, a former cycling champion himself, who would sooner throw a customer out than tolerate a less than respectful attitude towards the bicycles he loves.
Lorenzo is played by Dino Tavarone, who has such great chemistry with Laurier that all their scenes together make the film come alive. While Lorenzo starts out by testing Laurie, eventually they develop something close to a father-daughter relationship that allows them to share their passion for cycling and philosophies on life. These conversations are the real meat of 2 Seconds. Lorenzo and Laurie discuss bicycling with an enthusiasm sure to please any aficionado. I was fascinated by the way they embraced not only the exhilaration of the sport, but also the unavoidable pain and sacrifice it entails.
Finally, 2 Seconds is about those two seconds where an instant decision can completely change one's life. Lorenzo shares his own story of fate, through which he forms an even stronger bond with Laurie. But even though Lorenzo and Laurie's conversations are enjoyable, the film never really comes together as a whole. Still, there are some great scenes—not enough to make a great film, but enough to make a good one.
2 SECONDS
3 Wheels
A breathtaking shot at the beginning of 2 Seconds shows a steep mountain drop from the point of view of a bicycle wheel. The scenery is beautiful, but the dizzying incline of the drop might cause one to pause. In fact, it causes Laurie, an intense, young downhill racing pro, to pause for exactly two seconds. These two seconds cost her the big race and her position on the team.
Turns out, this movie isn't about downhill racing at all, which is somewhat disappointing because these initial shots are something to see. Instead, Laurie relocates to Montreal to pursue a life as a bike messenger. As we meet her fellow messengers, I had expectations that perhaps we would get the inside story on the bike courier culture and what makes them risk life and limb to get a delivery there on time.
2 Seconds isn't really about that either. The movie's flaw is that it seems to want to be about so much that it keeps introducing themes only to abandon them soon afterwards. Its charm is that one of these story strands works so well that it does make the film worth seeing.
Charlotte Laurier plays Laurie as a dedicated athlete with a childlike innocence. Her performance struck me as slightly familiar, and I realized that she reminded me of Audrey Tautou in the wonderful French film, Amelie. Besides both performances being in French, both actresses have the ability to express many emotions just through their eyes. Laurier has the added advantage of a crew cut to ensure focus on her large eyes.
Laurie's bike is not only her livelihood, but her life. When it begins to break down, a regular repair shop will not do, so she takes it to an out-of-the-way shop run by a stern old man. This is Lorenzo, a former cycling champion himself, who would sooner throw a customer out than tolerate a less than respectful attitude towards the bicycles he loves.
Lorenzo is played by Dino Tavarone, who has such great chemistry with Laurier that all their scenes together make the film come alive. While Lorenzo starts out by testing Laurie, eventually they develop something close to a father-daughter relationship that allows them to share their passion for cycling and philosophies on life. These conversations are the real meat of 2 Seconds. Lorenzo and Laurie discuss bicycling with an enthusiasm sure to please any aficionado. I was fascinated by the way they embraced not only the exhilaration of the sport, but also the unavoidable pain and sacrifice it entails.
Finally, 2 Seconds is about those two seconds where an instant decision can completely change one's life. Lorenzo shares his own story of fate, through which he forms an even stronger bond with Laurie. But even though Lorenzo and Laurie's conversations are enjoyable, the film never really comes together as a whole. Still, there are some great scenes—not enough to make a great film, but enough to make a good one.
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