Review of Cyclo (1995) by Ed Q — 31 Mar 2009

Though undercut by some amateurish acting and effects (the very obvious stuntmen in the many fire FX scenes, the splashed on vomit, etc.), this film about mid-90s Hanoi generally is a great glimpse at the lives of urban Vietnamese.

I had an interest as I might travel to the country soon - but I am sure it has changed, as it will continue changing. The film traverses the rags-to-guns story of a pedicab (cyclo) operator and his sister.

Though not particularly innovative in the plot (a decline/rise/decline/ circle that we have seen before), there are several magic-realist moments and much oration of poetry and folk songs. The tone of the film is meditative and slow, which Tony Leung (reprising his Wong Kar Wai persona) is best fit for, playing a mafiosi the pedicab-er gets involved with.

The cigarette seems glued-on to his lower lip as he flits through the film, seducing women and acting out the scripted violent outbursts, otherwise hidden below his trademark laconic outer calm. I would like to see more of Tran's work - it isn't quite clear if this film is 'Visionary' - but sometimes the perspective of an entire oeuvre can clarify what previous films meant.