Beijing Bicycle
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: January 25, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
10
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
With this masterful, flawless film, Xiaoshuai emerges in the front ranks of China's now numerous, world-renowned filmmakers. Read full review
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
An absorbing slice of the New China and a fascinating duel between two magnificently stubborn antagonists. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Even without its bleak and affecting story, Beijing Bicycle would work beautifully as a travelogue alone. Read full review
80
The New York TimesDana Stevens
At once somber and mysterious, comical and sad. It shows just how lonely a crowded city can be. Read full review
75
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
75
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
The movie is filled with sweetly funny moments, but its exposure of class, income and cultural differences makes it an uneasy charmer right up to its violent denouement. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
Wang's young actors are impressively natural, and his documentary-style camerawork captures the rhythms and cacophony of the big city, all its crazy-quilt comings and goings. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
At times, the film meanders from its course and loses dramatic focus. But it's vividly acted and creatively directed. Read full review
70
New Times (L.A.)Bill Gallo
Shot in the mean streets of a great and compelling city, here's a fascinating vision of societal upheaval that would likely awe De Sica himself. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldMarta Barber
Though beautiful at times, it doesn't reach the level of poetry of either de Sica's "Thief" or Lou's "River." Read full review
60
Washington PostDesson 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
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Wang's film offers an interesting look at the rapidly changing face of Beijing. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyErnest 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
60
Film ThreatRich Cline
There's a natural authenticity to the film that makes it intensely watchable, even though it's repetitive and slightly underwritten. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeChris Fujiwara
Hard, gleaming images and an oblique storytelling style come to Wang the way the bike comes to Jian -- secondhand. Read full review
50
Washington PostStephen Hunter
Too simple for its own good. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleJesse Hamlin
Moderately engaging tale. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
The film is often quietly humorous. Read full review
40
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Wang mistakes affectless storytelling and character conception for rigor, and as a result huge portions of Beijing Bicycle are dull and repetitive. Read full review
40
VarietyDerek Elley
Overplays its slim hand by a good two reels. Read full review
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