The Bikeriders, directed by Jeff Nichols, is an intense exploration of the enigmatic and dangerous world of a Midwestern motorcycle gang. Featuring a star-studded cast, the film is a visual and emotional tribute to the outlaw biker subculture that thrived in the mid-20th century.
The Bikeriders American Movie Review
Contents
The Bikeriders American Movie Cast:
Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Happy Anderson, Paul Sparks, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, Michael Abbott Jr., Toby Wallace, Damon Herriman, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen and Karl Glusman.
The Bikeriders American Movie Plot:
The Bikeriders tells the story of a Midwestern motorcycle gang, ‘The Chicago Vandals’, as seen through the eyes of Kathy, played by Jodie Comer. The film, set in the 1960s and 1970s, is a fictional narrative inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1967 book of photographs and interviews with real bikers.
The Bikeriders American Movie Review:
The narrative primarily unfolds through the perspective of Kathy, portrayed by Jodie Comer. Her account provides a window into the life of her husband, Benny (Austin Butler), and his involvement with ‘The Chicago Vandals’ motorcycle club. Benny is depicted as a blue-eyed James Dean-like figure, embodying existential freedom but with an undercurrent of melancholic detachment. Tom Hardy plays Johnny, the gang’s dominant leader, whose subtle homo-masochistic bond with Benny forms the core emotional tension of the film.
Based on Danny Lyon’s 1967 book, The Bikeriders utilizes photographs and interviews from a real gang, weaving them into a fictional narrative. Kathy recounts her instant love and marriage with Benny and the evolution of the biker gang from the mid-60s to the early 70s, a period during which the gang begins to unravel. Nichols pays homage to classic biker films like László Benedek’s The Wild One and Easy Rider, evident in various references throughout the movie.
The film opens with a dramatic bar fight where Benny is attacked for wearing his gang’s ‘colors’. This scene sets the stage for a series of flashbacks narrated by Kathy, portraying her thrill and fear as she becomes part of Benny’s world. The gang’s senior members are introduced, each with their own tragic backstory. Emory Cohen’s ‘Cockroach’, who claims to eat bugs, and Michael Shannon’s mentally unstable Zipco are particularly memorable.
Nichols’ direction is rich in character studies, presenting vignettes of individual gang members’ lives. The narrative is punctuated with edgy, violent sequences, such as a brutal fight involving Johnny and a harrowing scene where Benny nearly loses his foot. The film is imbued with a sense of poignant lyricism, thanks in part to a period-appropriate musical score that enhances the emotional weight of the story.
There’s a stark, unromanticized portrayal of the subculture, avoiding glorification or undue criticism. The film delves into themes of loyalty, leadership burdens, and the group dynamics among hardened rebels. The individual conflicts within the gang are vividly depicted, though the overall drama feels somewhat thin. The sound design, David Wingo’s evocative score, Julie Monroe’s editing with its striking freeze frames, and Adam Stone’s cinematography, capturing the Midwest in cool blues and golden hues, are standout elements.
The Bikeriders American Movie Director:
Director: Jeff Nichols.
The Bikeriders American Movie Rating:
Rating: 3/5
The Bikeriders American Movie Runtime:
Runtime: 118 minutes
FAQs: (Frequently asked Questions)
- What is The Bikeriders about?
The Bikeriders is about the life and dynamics of a Midwestern motorcycle gang, narrated through the perspective of Kathy, who shares her experiences of her husband Benny and the gang led by Johnny. - Who directed The Bikeriders?
Jeff Nichols directed The Bikeriders. - Is The Bikeriders based on a true story?
The film is based on Danny Lyon’s 1967 book of photographs and interviews with a real motorcycle gang, but the narrative itself is fictional. - Who are the main characters in the film?
The main characters include Kathy (Jodie Comer), Benny (Austin Butler), and Johnny (Tom Hardy), with significant roles played by Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, and Emory Cohen, among others. - What genre does The Bikeriders belong to?
The Bikeriders is a drama with strong elements of character study and historical fiction, focusing on the outlaw biker subculture. - How long is the movie?
The runtime of The Bikeriders is 118 minutes. - What are some key themes in The Bikeriders?
Key themes include loyalty, leadership burdens, existential freedom, group dynamics, and the personal conflicts of gang members. - Does The Bikeriders reference other biker films?
Yes, the film makes references to classic biker films like László Benedek’s The Wild One and Easy Rider. - What is unique about the film’s cinematography?
The cinematography, by Adam Stone, captures the Midwest in cool blues and sunlight hues, adding to the film’s gritty and authentic feel. - How have the performances in The Bikeriders been received?
Performances by Austin Butler and Tom Hardy have been particularly praised for their brooding and pensive portrayals, contributing to the film’s mysterious and intense atmosphere.
Conclusion:
Austin Butler and Tom Hardy deliver pensive, brooding performances that maintain the film’s mysterious and moody atmosphere. The film captures the gritty, testosterone-charged essence of the biker world, bringing it to life with a sense of raw authenticity. The Bikeriders ultimately celebrates the perilous glory days of a motorcycle gang, with a striking visual style and an attitude that lingers.
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