Cyclo [Xích lô] *** (1995, Le Van Loc, Tony Leung, Tran Nu Yên-Khê) – Classic Movie Review 5933

This arty but extremely polished and stylish 1995 Vietnamese crime drama is made with exquisite care by the director of The Scent of Green Papaya (1993), Tran Anh Hung.

Le Van Loc plays an 18-year-old taxi cyclist in Saigon, pulled into the city’s underworld by an iconic gangster called The Poet (Tony Leung [Tony Chiu Wai Leung]).

At its best when it settles down to being an exciting American-style film noir thriller, the film founders in its attempts to reach out for an ‘extra’ poetic dimension, which seem merely pretentious.

Still, this is a highly compelling, special film for discerning audiences. It won the Golden Lion and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice Film Festival 1995 and the Grand Prix at the Ghent International Film Festival 1995 for Tran Anh Hung.

It also features Tran Nu Yên-Khê, the director’s wife and star of The Scent of Green Papaya, as Sister.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5933

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com