Quicksilver is a 1986 feature 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.
The film is set in New York City, but filiming locations include San Francisco and Los Angeles, which explains the hills that the actors race down.
Cast
Bikes
Although a variety of bicycles are used in the movie, 1984-85 Raleigh USA roadbikes[1] are used throughout by notable players in the movie.
Kevin Bacon's bicycle is a singlespeeded '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.
Quicksilver soundtrack
- "Quicksilver Lightning" - Roger Daltrey
- "Casual Thing" - Fiona
- "Nothing At All" - Peter Frampton
- "Shortcut to Somewhere" - Fish and Tony Banks
- "Through the Night (Love Song from Quicksilver)" - John Parr and Marilyn Martin
- "One Sunny Day/Dueling Bikes from Quicksilver" - Ray Parker, Jr. and Helen Terry
- "The Motown Song" - Larry John McNally A cover version of this song was done by Rod Stewart in 1991.
- "Suite Streets-From Quicksilver"
- "Quicksilver Suite I/Rebirth/The Gypsy" - Tony Banks
- "Quicksilver Suite II/Crash Landing" - Tony Banks.
DVD
The DVD for Quicksilver was released on December 10, 2002 by Sony.[2]
Reception
The film received tepid reviews and as of June 2009 had only a 8% "fresh" rating on RottenTomatoes.com[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
- ^ 1984 Raleigh USA catalog
- ^ a b Rotten Tomatoes page for Quicksilver
- ^ "Quicksilver," Walter Goodman, New York Times, February 14, 1986
External links
