The Unknown Cyclist

This film is the same old story of acceptance of homosexuality and the long term pain families endure. But given that the film came out back in 98, the subjects dealing with homosexuality were few, so keeping the time release in mind, the subject is pretty decent and a nice attempt to make a meaningful film. A story of love and acceptance and of a community who was still understanding the whole effect of AIDS and spreading the message.

The film starts with a wake of Chris who dies AIDS, where his friends are celebrating his life. His ex wife Melissa, and the boyfriend Doug whom he left behind and their mutual friend Gaetano, a party boy under various drug addiction and alcohol issues. Since Chris never reconciled with his family before his death, so Doug is upset when Chris' twin brother Frank shows up. Next day the lawyer tells all four of them that Chris' last wish was for all 4 of them to do the 450 mile, six day charity ride up California coast for AIDS and release his ashes en route. As expected, during this trip all of these 4 characters have to deal with the demons. Frank needs to confront his homophobia, a confused Melissa is even more confused and indecisive after she ends up sleeping with Frank one night, Gaetano finds out he is HIV positive on the trip and in unsure how this will effect his and his friend's life and finally Doug needs to have a long in wait coming out with his family en route when a forced pitstop makes him and his friends visit his home. Of course, by the end all these characters settle their mutual differences for the finale spreading of Chris' ashes.

The film's story is predictable, but still it somehow resonates even after all these years. The minute you put yourself as one of the characters and identity with it, you will probably feel more connected to the story. Death is not easy for any person who are left behind and they all have to deal with the grief in this down way. Here they get an opportunity to do it together, by biking, increasing AIDS awareness and also in the process, trying to find themselves. Thankfully, the film never goes in a preachy mode, which is good. Times were different in 90s and coming out to families was a big deal, and to top that to whole AIDS thing and the families ignoring it was very real , so even after all these years, the stories resonate. The actor all do a decent job. There is no great histrionics expected of any of them, but the screenplay does bring in a good mix of humor and drama without making it overtly melodramatic. At about 90 minutes duration, it also doesn't feel stretched at any point. It follows a particular theme and knows exactly where it wants to be. It would have been better to see more of a chemistry between the leads, but it was all ok. A decent one time watch. (5.5/10)