Quicksilver (film)

Quicksilver is a 1986 American drama film starring Kevin Bacon. Written and directed by Thomas Michael Donnelly, the film also includes Jami Gertz, Paul Rodriguez, Louie Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, and Rudy Ramos.

Plot

Bacon's character is Jack Casey, a successful young floor trader who loses all of his money after a risky business decision. Deflated and disenchanted with his profession, he becomes a bicycle messenger for a service, Kurtzweill's Quicksilver Express Co., Ltd. Jack deals with his parents and his girlfriend, who are disappointed with his job as a messenger. Along with the colorful characters that work with him, he meets a troubled young woman, Terri.

Although frustrated, Jack enjoys the freedom that comes with his lower responsibility. He also uses his education and business acumen to help his co-workers. When some of them are involved in dangerous or difficult matters, Jack must decide whether (and how) he should become involved.

Cast

• Kevin Bacon as Jack Casey
• Jami Gertz as Terri
• Paul Rodriguez as Hector Rodriguez
• Rudy Ramos as Gypsy
• Laurence Fishburne as Voodoo (credited as "Larry Fishburne")
• Louie Anderson as Tiny

Bikes

Although a variety of bicycles are used in the movie, 1984–85 Raleigh USA road bikes^[1] are used throughout by notable players in the movie.

Kevin Bacon's bicycle is a singlespeed '84 Raleigh Competition. While no differentiation is made in the film, at least three different configurations are seen on Bacon's bike during the movie: Fixed-gear, singlespeed, and outfitted with 0-degree trick forks during various scenes in Bacon's apartment. A possible freewheel is suggested early in the film when Bacon dismounts while in motion and a distinct clicking sound is heard until the bike stops moving.

A 1984/5 Raleigh Grand Prix is used for the opening chase sequence, and a 1984 or '85 Super Course makes a brief appearance in the opening credits.

Music

The film's theme song is "Quicksilver Lightning" by Giorgio Moroder and Dean Pitchford. Performed by Roger Daltrey, it was a minor hit on the pop charts. The film score was composed by Tony Banks, of Genesis fame. Other music is contributed by performers such as Ray Parker, Jr. and Peter Frampton.

Soundtrack

1. "Quicksilver Lightning" – Roger Daltrey
2. "Casual Thing" – Fiona
3. "Nothing At All" – Peter Frampton
4. "Shortcut to Somewhere" – Fish and Tony Banks
5. "Through the Night (Love Song from Quicksilver)" – John Parr and Marilyn Martin
6. "One Sunny Day/Dueling Bikes from Quicksilver" – Ray Parker, Jr. and Helen Terry
7. "The Motown Song" – Larry John McNally
8. "Suite Streets-From Quicksilver"
9. "Quicksilver Suite I/Rebirth/The Gypsy" – Tony Banks
10. "Quicksilver Suite II/Crash Landing" – Tony Banks

Home media

The DVD for Quicksilver was released on December 10, 2002 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.^[2] It was later released on Blu-ray in July 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Reception

The film received negative reviews and as of August 2013 has only a 15% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.^[2]

In The New York Times, Walter Goodman wrote "As long as the characters are doing stunts or whizzing impossibly through city traffic to a strong rock beat, there's something to watch. For the rest of the time, Quicksilver is as much fun as a slow leak."^[3]

References

External links

• Quicksilver at the Internet Movie Database