With this masterful, flawless film, Xiaoshuai emerges in the front ranks of China's now numerous, world-renowned filmmakers.
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
An absorbing slice of the New China and a fascinating duel between two magnificently stubborn antagonists.
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
Beijing Bicycle is a good film that owes a huge debt to a better film. And that, of course, is Vittorio De Sica's "The Bicycle Thief."
75
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
The movie is filled with sweetly funny moments, but its exposure of class, income and cultural differences makes it an uneasy charmer right up to its violent denouement.
Shot in the mean streets of a great and compelling city, here's a fascinating vision of societal upheaval that would likely awe De Sica himself.
63
Miami HeraldMarta Barber
Miami HeraldMarta Barber
Though beautiful at times, it doesn't reach the level of poetry of either de Sica's "Thief" or Lou's "River."
60
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Beautifully filmed and very atmospheric in terms of evoking the sights and sounds of modern-day Beijing, this Chinese movie suffers a flat tire about halfway through.
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Wang's film offers an interesting look at the rapidly changing face of Beijing.
50
Boston Globe
Boston Globe
Hard, gleaming images and an oblique storytelling style come to Wang the way the bike comes to Jian -- secondhand.
40
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Wang mistakes affectless storytelling and character conception for rigor, and as a result huge portions of Beijing Bicycle are dull and repetitive.