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So many of us spend our whole lives struggling to define ourselves. This inner conflict of not knowing who we are leaves us daunted and unsure. 2 seconds follows Laurie, a French Professional Downhill racer, on such a mission to regain definition. Racing and riding has been her whole life but, when she hesitates at the starting gate it costs her her career and the yard stick by which she measures her existence.
A comment early in the movie from one of Laurie's fellow bike racers gives foreshadowing to where movie is heading. Laurie and her team are taking a gondola to the top of a mountain to prepare to race and discussing their respective scars. The other team mates are confounded by the fact that she has no scars, when suddenly they take notice of the fact that she has a gray hair. Ultimately you see that she has traveled a long road yet something vital is still missing from her life.
Confused and uncertain Laurie begins a new life living with her brother and riding as a bike messenger. She finds herself half a step out of synch with everyone and everything. But, acclimating to a new society and meeting an ornery bike shop owner who used to ride with an Italian race team, change Laurie's perception and ultimately help her find what her life has been lacking.
Although 2 Seconds is ultimately a drama, comical human moments leave it tasty and well rounded. You'll empathize with Laurie as she meets her replacement on the team and grin as she day dreams of choking her. You'll laugh out loud as Laurie cools off after her first day as a messenger. Other "tender" moments are humorously depicted to add spice to a movie that is as flavorful as french wine.
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Reviewed by Garuch
Overall rating out of 10: 8.95
Rating for Genre 9.5
Rating for acting: 8.5
Rating for Authenticity: 8.5
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I REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE. I am not normally a fan of subtitled movies but this French Canadian film, which begins in English, is done well enough that toward the end you think you are understanding French. Dan has given synopsis of the plot for you in the review above. And I am in agreement with most of his comments.
The humor in this movie as well as most humor really, arises from our laughter at ourselves. When Laurie sits down with the shop keeper who has "allowed her" to become a customer and therefor avowed her as being "bike worthy," the conversation or competition in which they engage could have occurred at any meeting of true bike fanatics. And in seeing it from the "outside" we see the humor in ourselves.
Now I am not certain what it is about bike movies that requires that they merely stop rather than end. Perhaps it is the nature of our sport. I mean we never really stop biking, we just sort of get off the bike for a while, so maybe that is what the movies tell us. Our story is not over, we have merely run out of film.
The movie ends and we miss our friends, but If you are a serious bicycling fan, don't miss this one!
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