negative portrayal of cyclists

[rupert pupkin]

Just got back from watching the 40-year-old virgin.

Meh, it was ok.

But was a little peeved to again find cyclists portrayed as geeky losers, even by Andy's nice girlfriend.

[bigred760]

I don't know. I don't think it's so much as cyclists are geeks, but geeks are cyclists. I mean, c'mon, you got Lance Armstrong around - I don't think anybody thinks he's a geek.

[The Postmaster General]

First off - I don't see how anyone could pass that off as a "meh" movie --- I thought it was one of the best written and realistic straight-up comedies since OFFICE SPACE. Altough it seemed a bit long, it was really a well-written, told, and acted tale.

Different strokes though....

I don't know if Andy riding a bike was really what made him appear geeky. Let's be real - he WAS geeky (if you use that word....)

What Roger Ebert said, IMO, hit summed up this topic perfectly:

Andy wasn't a dork because he rode a bike, he was a dork because of the way he rode the bike.

Maybe if you had other examples, but I generally don't think of cyclists as coming off poorly in movies -- at least not because they ride a bike. There is usually something else going on besides them riding a bike.

And if you really need a boost, to renew your faith that people don't shit on people just because they ride bikes, I would like to suggest this 1986 classic -

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006S4O5.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[C-Desecration-]

I think they were portrayed fine in 40 year-old virgin. Least I didn't mind. Hell, just like Andy I can't drive, and bike just about everywhere. I even had roughly the same conversation with someone (although it was a girl's father unless of the girl herself), where a bike was mistaken for a motorcycle. I had a shaved head then, which I guess gives off a biker vibe, I really don't know, but when that scene came up I had a good laugh.
But just like andy, can't drive, don't. Even had a job for awhile in another city. 20 miles every day. Keeps you in pretty damn good shape. I don't plan to get a car any time soon either.

One of the things i liked about that flick is that all andy's little things, whether his biking, toy figures, weird videogame set ups, whatever, they wereN'T portrayed as the reason why he was a virgin, or a nerd, whatever.

Maybe it was just me. But I wasn't offended at all.

[The Postmaster General]

What I got out of it was that he wasn't a virgin because of all that stuff, but that he was so obsessed with all that stuff because he was a virgin....

Is that what you meant?

Because to me, one of the best parts of the movie was how the didn't just make it like "Oh look at this loser!" -- everything was very sympathetic and in the end we appreciated Andy's hobbys, because look at where they got him in the end. HE came out on top simply because he was always true to himself, and never faked it.

[Mr. HokeyPokey]

maybe because anybody can ride a bike, its the one "athletic" event that should have just stayed a hobby. Worst then nascar. No talent needed.

[C-Desecration-]

What I got out of it was that he wasn't a virgin because of all that stuff, but that he was so obsessed with all that stuff because he was a virgin....

Is that what you meant?


Somwhat, I've been having odd grammar issues for some reason . . . I put can't as can, then weren't as were.
Fixed it. . .I think. . .

And hokey, I don't think we're talking about cyclists as in people who bike race. I think we're talking about people who use bikes as transportation.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by C-Desecration-
Somwhat, I've been having odd grammar issues for some reason . . . I put can't as can, then weren't as were.
Fixed it. . .I think. . .


Cool - that's what I though, but I wanted to make sure.

Yeah, it was a really good movie - mostly because of the way they treated the character. Did you also notice how many issues all of his co-workers were having. Really, Andy never had a conflict in the movie - the movie was more about the people learning to appreciate Andy -- Everyone ended up closer to being on his level than the other way around.

Damn, sorry so Off-Topic, rupert. I'll take it to the app. thread. :D