by Jake Hjort, Contributing Writer
Set in Chicago during the late 1960s, Jeff Nichols’ latest film, The Bikeriders, tells the story of the Vandals gang during the twilight years of the supposed golden age of motorcycle clubs. Told primarily from the perspective of Kathy Bauer (Jodie Comer), wife of Vandals member, Benny (Austin Butler), as she is interviewed by photojournalist, Danny Lyon (Mike Faist), The Bikeriders offers an exploration of the corrosive effects of toxic masculinity and its ability to degrade individuals and relationships. Over the course of several years, we get to watch the beginnings of Benny’s relationships with Kathy and with Johnny (Tom Hardy), the leader of the Vandals, and the strain put on them by the pressures of outlaw life.
Given that premise, it sounds like we’ve got all the ingredients needed for a great character study. However, somewhat bafflingly, The Bikeriders completely drops the ball here and fails to turn those ingredients into a cohesive dish. Despite spending a lot of time with them, I never really felt like I understood any of the bikeriders that the film chooses to follow. Given that Kathy is the audience’s vessel into the world of the Vandals, I suppose it isn’t a surprise that we don’t get much insight into the motivations or inner monologues of Benny or Johnny, but unfortunately that doesn’t make for a very compelling story. Benny is at the center of all the film’s marketing, but any understanding of his character is kept just outside of arms reach: We never learn how he joined the Vandals or why he makes any of the decisions he makes. This would all be a bit more excusable if Kathy was a stronger character that the audience could connect with, but despite her narrating the film and guiding the perspective, I don’t feel like we got to learn much about her either.
Now, I must say that I don’t put any of the blame for these failed characters on the actors. The cast are all doing their best with the material they are given, with Comer and Hardy in particular really standing out as shining performances. Comer has such a unique, magnetic energy, and I love seeing the diversity of roles she’s taken on this early in her career, and Hardy continues to be a true chameleon, seeming so natural in this world of ‘60s biker gangs. Although the script itself doesn’t do him too many favors, you can really see in his performance and on his face the turmoil that Johnny feels as his control of the Vandals is slipping as younger, more violent and disenfranchised men join the fray. I also enjoy some of the smaller characters that help fill out the Vandals, with guys like Cockroach (Emory Cohen) and Funny Sonny (Norman Reedus) providing some memorable moments and much-needed comic relief in what is otherwise a fairly intense film.
Additionally, I do have to admit that the film is beautiful to look at and listen to. There are so many great shots capturing that pure Americana atmosphere that you’d expect from a Midwest motorcycle club, and the production and costume design really help to sell the period setting. The costumes in particular are very impressive, with a ton of love and care clearly put into designing the Vandals jackets, which feel authentic and lived-in. The sound design is also impeccable, and there’s no better reason to check this one out in a theater with a great sound system than to hear the beautiful roar of the motorcycles fill up the room.
The Bikeriders is a film that has a ton of potential and good pieces, but unfortunately, the sloppy character work holds it back from being great. The underlying themes of masculinity, counter-culture, and violence are all interesting and well-integrated with the story, but without any understanding of the characters I have trouble fully investing in the film. I’m fairly unfamiliar with Nichols’ filmography, having only seen Loving prior to this, and although I have middling opinions on that film as well, I am interested in checking out some of his more acclaimed works to see if all the pieces come together or if his style just isn’t for me.
Rating: Low Side of Liked It
The Bikeriders is currently playing in theaters
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