QUICKSILVER
US, 1986, 101 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Bacon, Jami Gertz, Paul Rodriguez, Larry Fishburne.
Directed by Tom Donnelly.
Quicksilver is the story of a young man talented at the Stock Exchange but losing his -money and opting for a more simple life of bicycle deliveries. However, in the bustle of city life lie becomes involved in other people's lives. The film is something of a drama about yuppies with a human touch.
Kevin Bacon (Footloose, Diner, She's Having a Baby) is quite engaging as the hero. Jami Gertz (Less than Zero, The Lost Boys) is the heroine. Paul Rodriguez (The Whoopie Boys) is good as the hero's friend- The film recreates the atmosphere of the city, the life of the cycle messengers, hopes and aspirations, and the background of drug deals. It was written and directed by Tom Donnelly.
1. Contemporary drama? Yuppy drama? The young adult?
2. The title, mercury and-change, the barometers of fortunes, riding like quicksilver?
3. The American city, hones and streets, the Stock Exchanges, companies, rug-running, the bike-riding and expert stunt work? Songs and score?
4. Jack and photos in the credit sequences, his success at the Stock Exchange, busy, wealth, the taxi racing the cyclist? His failing? Condemnation of himself? £he encounter with his father and his father's nonchalance, going back and seeing him weep?
5. Jack and his character, success, the taxi race, his job, success, friends? Failure? The cycling job, the friendship with Hector, the lonely girl, watching Gypsy and his brutality, the drugs? The visit to his father and mother, the consoling of his mother, trying to speak to his father, trying to get an emotional response? Their concern about him? His girlfriend, the dancer, living in. the warehouse? His skill on the bike, his skill in the job? The girl and her awkwardness, her lies? Her taking the drugs and delivering them? His friendship with Hector, Hector's ambitions, taking the money and going to the Stock Exchange? His friends at the Exchange, his enthusiasm and success? His chasing Gypsy and the fight? The pursuit and Gypsy's crash? The girl, the resolution? His growing up? Going with the girl to Hector's hamburger shop?
6. The girl, her background, lies, imagining great things about her parents? Work? Gypsy and his advances., getting her to do the drug delivery? In the apartment, antagonising Jack? Her being pursued by Gypsy, the fight, the chase? The ending and the possibilities of a better life?
7. Hector, his family the bike, helping the girl with buying the bike, money and hopes? The flash suit for the interview? The birth of his baby and excitement? The possibility of running drugs? Trusting Jack, cheerful, getting the finance and his shop?
8. Gypsy and his watching, brutal and flash style, pressure on Hector, pressure on the girl? The drugs? His antagonism towards Jack, the fight and the pursuit, the crash?
9. The firm, the workers, the bosses, the jobs?
10. The sketch of Jack's parents, his mother's concern, his father's lack of emotional- expression?
11. The city, the Stock Exchange, the successful brokers?
12. The city and its themes, values, quests in contemporary life?
