Rating: «««
out of ««««
Running Time: 116 minutes
This film from Focus Features is currently playing at cinemas.
When I think about biker movies, the first ones that come to mind are 50s films like The Wild One and 1969’s Easy Rider, along with a number of exploitation and B-pictures that followed in the early ‘70s capitalizing on the latter’s success. It has seemingly been a long while since anyone has tackled the subject. Based on a book of photographs and essays written by Danny Lyon about real motorcyclists of the ‘60s and ‘70s, The Bikeriders attempts to transport viewers back to this golden age.
After some time away from the Chicago-based outlaw gang The Vandals, photographer/interviewer Danny Lyon (Mike Faist) tries to catch up with them and learn about where they are now. His primary source is Kathy (Jodie Comer), a woman who tells him how she ended up in the company of bikers after falling for member Benny (Austin Butler). She tells him all about the group, their social circle and discusses how close Benny was to founder/leader, Johnny (Tom Hardy). In fact, they were so friendly that Kathy always felt like she was competing with Johnny for her partner’s attention. Over the course of nearly a decade this social group grows into a larger outfit and gets into all kinds of trouble with the law and other bikers.
At the beginning, the set-up featuring Kathy and quick glimpses of various members takes some getting used to. The film also has an unexpected sense of humor, with some of their illegal activities and behaviors initially being played for laughs. While a bit jarring at first, more and more lines do end up hitting the mark as the tone is firmly established. Kathy also tells her stories in an amusing way, making entertainingly blunt comments about some of the events that occur.
Additionally, there are so many faces in the cast that it does take a bit of time for the movie to find its footing. However, once the backstories are established and the narrative focuses on the rough but quirky members and their personal interactions, the movie instantly becomes engaging. Despite the number of bikers, the fantastic cast (which also includes Michael Shannon, Damon Harriman, Boyd Holbrook and Norman Reedus) makes each individual distinctive and well-rounded. They all get their moments to shine and make the most of their parts.
There is a clear hierarchy established that is also fascinating to witness. We see how the group transforms over nearly a decade, including Johnny’s transformation from family man and truck driver into leader of a large biker gang with numerous chapters outside the city. Viewers also see his control begin to waver as the weight of responsibility starts taking a toll. The loyal Benny is more detached and is prone to fight, sometimes without even being asked. Of course, this personality trait and his closeness to Johnny become a source of conflict between himself and Kathy.
All the personal drama comes to a head as the years pass and times change. The leads want to be free and many of their misdemeanors are, in part, more of a protest to their lives and the social order, but when a younger crowd infiltrates the group and focuses on criminal elements, it becomes obvious that something must give. It isn’t flashy and doesn’t involve large scale confrontations, and as a result these elements feel grounded and believably delivered.
It’s all very effective, although there are a couple of caveats that keep the film achieving greatness. One of the unfortunate aspects of having so many interesting characters is that many fall by the wayside and disappear as the picture focuses on the three main characters. We do get a little roundup at the end, but it feels rushed. And while the movie tries to show a little more of the inner life of Benny at the close, we don’t get to understand his motivations quite as clearly as hoped for.
There are a few issues and the movie doesn’t have the scope of a Martin Scorsese production, but this feature cleverly focuses on a unique kind of gang and does an excellent job of putting viewers into their world. And the movie is filled with memorable characters who are fascinating to watch. The Bikeriders presents a fascinating tour of the lives of outlaws from a long-gone era and can stand tall alongside other the famous titles of its genre.
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By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
