Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Written by: Jeff Nichols, based on Danny Lyon’s book
Starring: Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist, Toby Wallace, and Michael Shannon
Runtime: 116 minutes
‘The Bikeriders’ could rev its engine more often, but the film is a memorable ride
“Get your motor running. Head out on the highway. Looking for adventure and whatever comes our way.” – “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
“Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days. Thursday, Friday, Happy Days. Saturday. What a day. Rocking all week for you.” – “Happy Days” by Pratt & McClain
Director/writer Jeff Nichols is back. From 2007 to 2016, he directed a slew of critically-acclaimed films, including “Shotgun Stories” (2007), “Take Shelter” (2011), “Mud” (2012), “Midnight Special” (2016), and “Loving” (2016). This critic has seen them all except “Shotgun Stories”, and I recommend the four latter movies.
With “The Bikeriders”, he rides with a big cast. Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist, Toby Wallace, Michael Shannon, and several other players play out the story of The Vandals, a Chicago motorcycle club that formed during the 1960s. Based on Danny Lyon’s 1968 book, Nichols includes Danny in his movie, played by Faist, who interviews and takes photos of the group during their travels.
We see Danny run around with the club, but most of his interviews are with Kathy (Comer), a 20-something wife to Benny (Butler), one of The Vandals. Kathy is the movie-conduit for spinning the Vandals’ yarns, and Nichols and Danny refer to her for guidance throughout the 116-minute runtime, but with mixed results. Brit-born Comer captures a noticeably sturdy American accent that seems Chicago-based, with some possible hints of New Jersey and North Dakota’s “Fargo” thrown in for good measure. There’s nothing wrong with Jodie’s performance, however, Nichols features Kathy’s discussions with Danny so frequently that The Vandals’ adventures are interrupted too often with unnecessary rest stops rather than letting the story run for longer stretches.
Anyway, Kathy paves the way for Benny and her arc as well as the two-wheeled brotherhood trajectory. However, the movie deliberately settles into everyday happenings with the club rather than event-based milestones.
Nichols seems determined to immerse the audience in the biker experience, and it’s not an opulent one. The film squeezes out all the glamour and leaves us with grit. Relaxed discourse floods the screen about grabbing beers, meeting other riders from different states, memories of failed career prospects, and complaints of “pinkos” who go to college and wear short pants and tennis shoes. The riders (and some of their girlfriends) relax in a park, drink beer in various gravelly establishments or inside someone’s home, forge club rules, decide on new members, or fight, with fists or knives, with each other or other assemblies.
This former riding-only troupe becomes a society without black ties and cotillions.
These men are not exactly living on the margins but riding on the edge with Darwin. Survival of the fittest and loyalty to the club are the two basic codes.
The group’s founder, leader, and principal rule maker is Johnny (Hardy), and Hardy is utterly compelling as the man who the others admire but also fear crossing. Johnny is burly and dangerous with an “On the Waterfront” Terry Malloy-like vibe. Although Johnny’s not unreasonable. He doesn’t govern with a cruel iron fist but a quiet strength. Still, he will battle when challenged, and “fists or knives” is his response as these occasions occasionally surface.
In 2024, hurt feelings may suddenly arise over reading an errant Facebook post, but it’s impossible to see any of the bikers in this film weep over a differing political opinion or sports-team insult. Body blows and blades settle disputes here, and afterward, a couple of frosty beverages help celebrate new friendships, but not always.
However, the most compelling aspects of conflict center around Benny in the film’s long game with his two most essential relationships, Kathy and Johnny.
Benny meets Kathy and courts her in the most Arthur Fonzarelli-ish fashion in front of her home. So much so that her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend is simply resigned to his inevitable fate without even a whiff of a confrontation. Kathy buys into Benny’s motorcycle lifestyle, but for how long?
Meanwhile, how long does Benny purchase daily tokens for Johnny’s club, and what would happen if he attempts to cash out?
These two plot pillars primarily keep us sitting with attention and wonder. Yes, “The Bikeriders” may make too many pit stops and could rev its engine more often, but Nichols hands the audience a comfortable pillion and a memorable ride.
As Fonzie would say, “It’s cool.”
Jeff’s ranking
2.5/4 stars
