Jeff Nichols’ motorcycle pic that’s an Easy Rider.
Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” is inspired by a photobook created by journalist Danny Lyons, who depicted the lives of the motorcycle club known as Outlaws MC. It wants to go after a lot of movies, like “Goodfellas,” “Easy Rider,” and even some “Rebel Without a Cause” and “West Side Story” undertones if you look closely. But mostly, it’s an independent film, released by Focus Features, that has the look and feel of indie films.
It was supposed to come out at the end of last year, but because of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, it could pushed to this year. It makes better sense that it comes out in the summer, because of its old fashioned style and star-studded cast to help shake your summer a bit. It’s also quite relaxing when, depending on your area, you walk out of the theater, and you’re warm outside.
But “The Bikeriders,” itself, has qualities that match Nichols’ entries, and even with the embellishments, you’re still interested in these motorcyclists and how they function in the 1960s.
As the film begins, Lyons (Mike Faist) interviews Kathy (Jodie Comer) about the Chicago outlaw motorcycle club her husband Benny (Austin Butler) was associated with. In this movie, it’s known as Vandals MC, and it was run with a ballsy attitude by Johnny (Tom Hardy), who knows how to expand it with more riders.
The members of this club also include the discharged Vietnam War vet Cal (Boyd Holbrook), the would-be vet Zipco (Michael Shannon, a Nichols regular), the California drifter Funny Sonny (Norman Reedus), and even Lyons himself traveled with them for stories and photographs.
Kathy is always questioning Benny about how he behaves on or off the motorcycle. She even tells Lyons: “I’ve got feelings, because Benny has no feelings. I don’t know where he gets it from.” After Benny gets injured on his bike, Kathy tells Johnny to kick him out of the club. “You can’t have him. He’s mine,” she says. But Johnny says: “He doesn’t belong to the club or you.” Instead, he wants him to take over the club when his time is up.
The performances from Comer and Hardy are excellent in their ways of adapting to their characters. Comer uses the Midwest accent with a Holly Hunter vibe and she plays Kathy with the right attitude. And Hardy’s tough guy performance reminds me of his film “The Drop,” which was made a decade ago and still deserves a lot more credit than it was given.
And Butler has proven himself worthy of being a professional actor. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Elvis,” “Dune: Part 2,” and now, “The Bikeriders.” He has the make-up to make him look good, and he has the dialogue to make him feel cool. And he isn’t self-congratulatory in his screen time, because he allows both Comer and Hardy to deal with his character’s personality and behavior.
“The Bikeriders” is the first movie Nichols has made since “Loving” in 2016. It reaches the high standards of “Take Shelter,” “Mud,” and “Midnight Special,” by having the right kind of style and attitude to match the tone of these bikers who would resort to crime and even murder. Just like regular gangsters. Even if some scenes feel familiar, you’re still amazed at how the filmmaker and cinematographer Adam Stone photograph those scenes.
My friends and I got a look at this film the other day, and we all enjoyed it. And if you have style, and I mean the good, refreshing kind of style, then “The Bikeriders” is your kind of ride.