Quicksilver (film)
| Quicksilver | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Thomas Michael Donnelly |
| Produced by | Daniel Melnick Michael I. Rachmil |
| Written by | Thomas Michael Donnelly |
| Starring | Kevin Bacon Jami Gertz |
| Music by | Tony Banks |
| Cinematography | Thomas Del Ruth |
| Editing by | Tom Rolf |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | February 14, 1986 (USA) |
| Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $7,246,979 (USA) |
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.
Contents |
[edit] 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.
[edit] Location
The film is set in San Francisco, CA as evidenced by the (now defunct) Pacific Stock Exchange where Jack worked as an options trader, and PSE badges are clearly visible throughout several scenes in the movie. Several of the bicycle chase scenes are clearly filmed in downtown Los Angeles.
[edit] 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
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
- "Suite Streets-From Quicksilver"
- "Quicksilver Suite I/Rebirth/The Gypsy" - Tony Banks
- "Quicksilver Suite II/Crash Landing" - Tony Banks
[edit] Home media
The DVD for Quicksilver was released on December 10, 2002 by Sony.[2]
[edit] Reception
The film received terrible reviews and as of June 2009 had only a 8% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 reviews.[2]
Actor Kevin Bacon, who had played in the film, called Quicksilver "the absolute lowest point of my career." in 2008.[citation needed]
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]
[edit] References
- ^ 1984 Raleigh USA catalog
- ^ a b Quicksilver Rotten Tomatoes Flixster
- ^ "Quicksilver," Walter Goodman, New York Times, February 14, 1986
