In 2015 more than eight-hundred cyclists died in the United States. A husband (Kenneth Robert Marlo) has lost his wife (Tamara Windt) in a cycling accident. He’s riddled with pain and grief, and he’s struggling to make sense of his life right now. As he wanders the streets of New York he is constantly reminded of his wife–his whole world, and his ability to cope with his loss is almost nonexistent. She Rides the Ghostbike is the tale of this man as he tries to get back to normal and move on after his tragic loss. But moving on from a loved one is no easy task.
Marlo is credited simply as “the Husband” and Windt as “the Wife.” It doesn’t feel like much of a stretch to believe that giving these characters actual names wouldn’t deter She Rides the Ghostbike from being successful–so why not give them any identity other than the titles of husband and wife? My belief is that writer-director Daniel James Huppert intends to develop these characters as ones that define the other; without one the other cannot exist. The simple, but meaningful titles of husband and wife relate to the viewer that each half of that relationship meant the world to the other, and that creates an emotional connection immediately. This small (and immensely important) detail supports the dark, harrowing emotion present throughout She Rides the Ghostbike, and it allows that emotion to become deafening, even paralyzing, the further the film moves along.
There are so many tiny details that exist throughout She Rides the Ghostbike that I’m not entirely sure are intentional, but play a pivotal role in the reception of the overall film. As the husband drives through the city and is reminded of his wife, his focus shifts from the road ahead to a visual in his rearview. This is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sort of situation, but the role it plays in the drama is incredible. In that moment, as the husband’s focus is shifted, I felt tense, uncomfortable, and I prepared for the worst. Viewers see the car traveling down a busy street, the focus shift, and the bicycle lane signs on the road. That moment forces viewers to think about what has happened to the wife, and they begin to worry that the husband may accidentally perpetuate the cycle (no pun intended) of cyclists dying in automobile accidents. While you can hear and see the pain that the husband is experiencing throughout She Rides the Ghostbike, it feels like this is the moment when that drama peaks and becomes relevant on a larger scale.
There are a number of literary and cinematic decisions that Huppert makes that allow She Rides the Ghostbike to find immense success. It was impossible for me to peel my eyes away from the screen or to think about anything other than the beautiful, but heart-breaking story that played out in front of me. Through these fantastic decisions and the nearly perfect acting, the story of She Rides the Ghostbike comes to life in a wonderful way. Marlo, Windt, and Christopher Lee Mannix (who plays Jack, the only named character in the film) pull emotion from every corner of the screen, beg audiences to feel their pain, and propel forward She Rides the Ghostbike.
With the many moving pieces of She Rides the Ghostbike, the film touches on a number of aspects that will entice a great number of viewers. She Rides the Ghostbike is full of life, passion, and spectacular cinematic and narrative ingredients which ultimately allows it to be a touching tribute to love and its role in our lives.
Written & Directed by Daniel James Huppert.
Starring Kenneth Robert Marlo, Tamara Windt, & Christopher Lee Mannix.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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