"40 Year-Old Virgin": Commuting's latest media image
 

The title character in The 40 Year Old Virgin (the current #1 movie in the U.S.) rides a bike to work, owns no car, and has never learned to drive. It's a real commuter bike, too, outfitted with fenders, a headlight, a milk crate bungee-corded to a rack, and two handlebar-mounted mirrors. They show him mostly riding on the street, though there's also a scene where he rides on the sidewalk and then, with some difficulty, crosses several lanes of traffic to get to his destination. You also see such real-world details as him carrying a front tire into his workplace every day, and stuffing his pant cuffs in his socks before riding. At one point in the movie, he receives a new bike, some sort of Trek mountain bike with a huge shock absorber where part of the frame should be. Though not as practical for commuting as the bike he already had, he is happy to receive it. (Go, product placement!)

But this is a mixed blessing. Although the character is endearing, he has many juvenille quirks--other than being a virgin, he also plays lots of video games and collects action figures. His bike riding is portrayed as just another sign of his refusal to grow up. At one point, another character says he gave up bike riding when he was six years old. The main character's car-free lifestyle is also shown to be a serious impediment to getting laid (a central goal during the film). On the other hand, at one scene in the end of the movie his bike gives him a unique advantage over cars.

Go figure.

I sometimes imagine a few posters on these forums to fit this stereotype, not because they ride a bike, but because of what they post. ;)

Al

<-- Plays video games and has some action figures. Have had a girlfriend for two and a half years though. 2 out of 3. :)

Oh. I thought you were going to say there were plenty of 40 year old virgins here on the forums. :D ;)

Koffee

Just once I'd like to see a commuter portrayed better in movies, like a chick in full team kit, colnago carbonissmo, large messenger bag, running lights and darting into 8 lanes of cross traffic.
Is that too much to ask?

Anyone who's rode a bike at critical mass knows that a bike can be a serious prop to GETTING LAID.
Girls of all ages, and they are ALL friendly. If I was just younger and had my health, sigh!.

Contrast that with the girls at the bar Pier23 who are all looking for a rich beemer driver, but really don't have much of interest to offer, (other than too much cosmetics and plastic surgury).

Krap! Does it show?

Well, Jeff Goldblum's character in 'Independence Day' did save the entire human race. He got the girl too. :) Pretty good for a dork on a bike. He did have to use a spaceship, but that's still technically car-free right? Technically?

And people really pay to watch silly stuff like this?

Al

Yep. And, we laugh all the way through it. It's entertainment - not commentary. :lol:

The incredible Hulk also bike-commute to work.

Absolutely!.... and it ran on 'alternative' energy, not fossil fuels :p

And so did the karate kid, untill Mr Myagi gave him that old car :(

I don't have time to play video games and I can't afford to collect figurines because I'm out riding my bike and buying carbon fiber kickstands.

Someone's made a carbon fiber kickstand? Do you have a link.

I haven't seen 40-year-old-Virgin, but I am betting that his bike-commuterdom is meant to make him endearingly quirky, given what the previews seem to portray of his character.

Just like if they want to portray a girl as a "free spirit" they'll have her driving a vintage Volkswagen.

Hey, don't forget The Man With One Red Shoe where Tom Hanks trackstands his Peugeot at a stoplight and the bad guys who are trailing him go "How does he do that?"

omg carbon fiber kickstands...

lol 40 y/o virgins lurking on BF...

Koffee wants them all!! (not sure of the carbon fiber kickstand, tho)

What is it about this movie? The trailers didn't spark any interest for me. Maybe I should get out and watch the movie @ Clinton theatre about the giant squid who falls in love with a woman. Or maybe I should watch this. whatever... somebody (besides my landlord) will be acquiring my hard earned cash this weekend. *sigh*

whoa... wtf did i just write??

I.e carbon fiber kickstands , Why?

Because all the cool kids are doing it.

That has to be an improvement over PeeWee Herman

Pee Wee was a 42-year-old virgin, or at least he was unknown by all but his hands and Chairy I assume.

Good thing those aliens were running Windows 98.

I knew I was missing out on something when ignoring those Critical Mass rides... :(

But lately, it has been pretty dangerous around here with NYPD tactics to ambush riders randomly, for no reason whatsoever, during the last couple of rides... Now, with the enticement of "GETTING LAID" (not that I need it that badly ;)), I might be able to overcome my reservations :D :D :D