The Bikeriders
Several years ago, Asheville Movies co-founder Bruce Steele coined the term “gives good trailer” to praise a film with an enticing preview.
But not every feature merits that label — including The Bikeriders, which distributor Focus Features posits as a mindless action movie with yet another marble-mouthed performance from star Tom Hardy.
Though it indeed gives bad trailer, certain corny images and confounding lines of dialogue from the promo play markedly differently in the latest winner — and first new work since 2016 — from writer/director Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter; Mud), who maintains his flawless track record in exciting ways that grow his already impressive filmography.
Along with the unlikely subject matter, Nichols employs an unusual narrative approach, honoring the gutsy journalism of Danny Lyon (played here by Mike Feist, Challengers) as he photographed and interviewed the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club in the 1960s. As such, the filmmaker relies on insights from core interview subject Kathy (Jodie Comer, The Last Duel) as the narrative’s backbone, looping in chats with the bikers themselves — fictionalized under the moniker Chicago Vandals — when possible, but otherwise treating her word as gold.
And why wouldn't he? Kathy married Vandal member Benny (Austin Butler, Elvis), has some STORIES to tell, and no reason to lie or embellish. Jumping from her recollections to dramatizations of the past, The Bikeriders maintains an active tone, thoroughly depicting the dangers and downsides of biker life, as well as its irresistible appeal for many folks pulled into its orbit — Kathy included.
Through Nichols’ signature clear-eyed, minimal frill visuals, the thrill of riding is quickly established as the main appeal of the MC, but the brotherhood comes in a close second.
Contrary to the trailer’s audio woes, practically every word of Hardy’s riveting performance is discernible as he leaves no doubt why people would want to be under Johnny's leadership. It’s also wonderful to see Butler play something other than an eccentric, and his turn as Benny proves he can handle a more subtle role that nevertheless makes excellent use of his good looks and physicality.
But solid as these two stars are, The Bikeriders’ true MVP is Comer. Nailing the Chicago accent, she’s saddled with the most screen time and the most demanding role, and aces both the level-headed interviews with Feist’s reporter and the far more emotionally challenging scenes with the frequently rowdy Vandals.
Despite the occasional bumps, this is a loving bunch of guys and their wives, and features such amusing personalities as wannabe soldier Zipco (Michael Shannon), diet hippie Cal (Boyd Holbrook), and oddball Cockroach (an unrecognizable Emory Cohen, Brooklyn). The Vandals IS life for these men, so little about their day to day is shown, even though they have full time jobs and families — a balance that generally works but raises a few unanswered questions now and then.
While the Vandals aren’t inherently violent, that changes in terrifying ways via outsiders who inspire aggression as a necessary evil. Threats include upstarts who want to join the Vandals but aren’t quite ready for the responsibilities, and the gradual infiltration of new, detrimental drug habits and selfish behavior that strays from the club’s core values, dangerously tipping the crew into true gang territory.
Nichols’ raw depiction of these behaviors proves consistent with the explorations of manhood that have defined each of his features, and it’s no less potent funneled through a female perspective. Indeed, Kathy’s viewpoint adds an exciting new wrinkle to the filmmaker’s body of work and is a big reason why The Bikeriders is one of the year’s best films thus far.
Grade: A-minus. Rated R. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Carolina Cinemark, the Fine Arts Theatre, Grail Moviehouse, and Regal Biltmore Grande.
(Photo: Mike Faist/Focus Features)
