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The Bikeriders review by Bobby Blakey
I love movies focusing on old gangs and motorcycle clubs. It is such a rich history that infuses aspects of a period piece and potential of a deep drama that often turns more violent than not. The latest film from Mud and Midnight Special director Jeff Nichols, The Bikeriders delves into the early world of the motorcycle clubs before they are transitioned into what they are known for today. The film features a great cast including Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon and Norman Reedus, but does it find that smooth rode on the highway or will it manage to lay the bike down in a fiery crash?
The Bikeriders follows a rebellious time in America when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy is inextricably drawn to Benny, the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny. Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.
This story is based on the photo-book of the same name by Danny Lyon which focused on the Outlaws Motorcycle Club during the 1960s. This film uses the fictional club the Vandals in its place and while there is a direct connection from the story and images it is for all accounts a fictional take on the time he spent with them. With that the film focuses mostly on Comer as she is interviewed by Lyons here played by Challengers star Mike Faist. It is an interesting way to tell this story that allows it to bounce around a bit while keeping it in line with the source material. This doesn’t take away from any focus on Butler or Hardy and the impact they have on the film.
The idea of the motorcycle club today is that of a gang of sorts taking on all sorts of crime, but during this time it was just about misfits that came together to ride and belong to something. Sure, they got into trouble but not the way you usually expect. I love this era especially with eh problem solving being something as simple of a challenge for leadership being decided but a straight up fight choosing between fists or knives and then back to business afterwards. It also plays a major impact on the later changes in the world of these clubs as they transitioned into more violent criminal organizations. It’s a slow burn film that showcases the world these people inhabit and the rules they live by. It is loyalty, brotherhood and family sadly until it isn’t and things take a dark turn.
The cast are all great with Butler perfectly cast here. He already carries a James Dean-like swagger to him that lends perfectly to not only this character but the period they are in. His unpredictable and hard nature makes him seem one dimensional but in fact mush deeper than you might imagine. Hardy also fits right in bringing a stoic and soft-spoken strength to his leadership role that might not have worked for anyone else, but he brings the power behind it you can sense without him saying a word.
This is a slow burn film that isn’t jam packed with action but does have some action here and there. It’s not about that though, it’s just about the lifestyle of these guys and the aggressively violent changes that happen as it expands and evolves. I loved this flick and wish we got more like it. The ending offers up a great montage of photos from the book with many clearly used for direct shots in the film that makes it even more impressive and effective.
Check out The Bikeriders available now on digital, 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and streaming on Peacock from Universal Home Entertainment.
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