Cyclo | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Critics Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Part of Cyclo’s voluptuous mystery is that it unravels simultaneously like a documentary and an expressionist or surrealist vision. Rated: 4/4 Jun 14, 2022 Full Review Eric Henderson Slant Magazine Liquids become the motif d'abus of the film: water, blood, vomit, sweat, oil, urine, humidity, and paint. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 18, 2004 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Rated: 4.5/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Just as impressive as his feature debut Scent of the Green Papayas, as a poetic study of survival in modern and ravished Vietnam, Cyclo will be compared to De Sica's post- WWII classic Bicycle Thief. Rated: A- Jun 16, 2007 Full Review Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Rated: 3/5 Dec 2, 2003 Full Review TV Guide Rated: 4/5 Jul 30, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

William L A challenging film. You can't take your eyes off of Cyclo for very long without losing the stream of consciousness of the film's storytelling, so willing is writer-director Tran Anh Hung to allow major components of the story to be conveyed non-verbally, and to avoid showing every detail that transpires in the film's plot. It's that willingness to show, not tell that makes Cyclo stand out as a piece of mature storytelling, refusing to treat members of the audience as if they need to be led by the hand throughout the entire story. The unbroken cycles of poverty and crime have been the subject of cinematic exploration throughout the world for decades, but this film delivers a fine, original, and powerful take on the subject, adding in unique stylistic flourishes (including a particular affinity for the symbolism of liquids - rushing water, pooling blood) that reinforces the consuming nature of criminal activity when few other options present themselves to the poor and disadvantaged. Some of the creative choices may deviate more into the territory of 'strange' rather than 'realistic and empathetic', but overall this is a solid modern social, family, and criminal drama, sidestepping romanticism in favor of blunt honesty. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/22 Full Review david l Tran Ahn Yung makes movies that are almost wordless and very slow, but still riveting to watch due to a great sense of place, time and realism. Cyclo is a very difficult, at times even overly gruesome watch, but it offers an essential look at the poverty and crime of early nineties Vietnam fueled by strikingly atrocious imagery, strong thematic resonance and confident storytelling. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Creep - Radio HeadWhen you were here beforeCouldn't look you in the eyeYou're just like an angelYour skin makes me cryYou float like a featherIn a beautiful worldI wish I was specialYou're so f*ckin' special Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review S R 1001 movies to see before you die. Props for making this is communist Vietnam. Was it contrived? Yes. But was it unique? Yes. I appreciated it, but don't plan on seeing it again. It was on Youtube. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Cyclo is an excellent Vietnamese drama that is very strange in the way that it's structured. Though the story jumps around, it's a very engaging story about several characters and their problems, though it mostly focuses on a teenage boy who gets pulled into the criminal underworld and the awful things he is forced to do. It's an engaging and compelling drama with a lot to sink your teeth into in terms of storytelling. It's an immensely enjoyable drama that is well worth seeing if you're a fan of dramas. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Too many cliches here. Fortunately they were offset by great cinematography and performances from the lead actors Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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