Career Courier takes a look at a lifestyle I’ve always been curious about: bike messengers. And not just the day-to-day for a couple bike messengers, but the stories of some who have been doing the job for 10+ years. In other words, these are people who know the game, know the hardships inherent in the life and keep doing it.
None of these bike messengers are getting rich with their vocation, and it seems like far too much stress and exercise for someone like me to consider, but I relate, and understand, when the decision comes down to personal freedom and little money versus less control over your life and more money. I get it.
As far as a documentary film goes, while the topic and subjects keep your attention and interest, and the films looks great, the overall message starts to become repetitive. It feels like there’s a very strong 45-50 minute documentary in here that was pushed out to a longer running time with bike-riding POV shots and a random subplot with one of the director’s friends that feels out of place amid the documentary tone the rest of the film lives in. By the time you’re an hour in, you can almost predict the answers: the money sucks, the freedom rules, it’s the best job in the world. Again, I get it… but I also got it far earlier on.
Career Courier is a fresh, inside look at the world of bike messaging, and definitely an entertaining and informative place to start if you’ve ever had an interest in, or questions about, the job and the people who do it. This is the world filmmaker Kenton Hoppas lives in, and that natural friendliness translates perfectly through the screen. I know a shorter running time would put the film in cinematic no man’s land, but drop this badboy down into the 40s and you’ve got yourself a strong, compelling documentary that could possibly find a home on cable.
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