The Bikeriders
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)
Danny Lyon was a student and a photographer at the University of Chicago in the early 1960s. One of his projects was to share the lifestyle of the biker culture that was emerging during that time in history. His work became a photobook that focussed on the Chicago chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club that documented and honoured the life of the American bikerider. Accomplished writer/director Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special) took Lyon’s work and reimagined this pictorial account of the bikers as an outlaw motorcycle club called the Vandals MC.
Johnny (Tom Hardy) was a truck driver who was passionate about motorcycles and would race them on the weekend with friends. As his passion for this community grew, he decided to form the Vandals as a biker club. With members named Zipco (Michael Shannon), Brucie (Damon Herriman) and Cockroach (Emory Cohen), he was able to get a loyal group who enjoyed riding, playing pool and drinking together most nights. Yet, his closest confidant and most enigmatic member had to be Benny (Austin Butler) who showed his fierce loyalty to the group's charismatic founder. As their reputation grew, photographer and writer, Danny Lyon (Mike Faist), started to document their history and motivations for riding. An account was primarily told through the words of Benny’s wife, Kathy (Jodie Comer), who didn’t hold back on sharing the endearing and darker sides of this tight-knit group of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Unlike films that have showcased the violent and criminal elements of these gangs, Nichols tries to underscore the raw human need for community found within this group of men and their families. Not that there isn’t violence and crime involved in this storyline, but this story focusses more on the narrative than the action to tell the story. A tale inspired by Lyon’s photos and brought to life as a world that tries to expose the humanity seen in these images from a bygone era of leather jackets and Harley Davidsons that looks nothing like the musical, Grease. Nichols' methodical method of storytelling will satisfy those who love a well-told indie film while may leave viewers looking for an action-packed blockbuster wanting more from their movie experience.
Austin Butler’s character was briefly referenced and never seen in Lyon’s book, while Nichols builds a mythical figure to centre on within the film. He has the look and presence to carry this through until the end, but the screenplay belongs to Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. Comer tells the story with an enthusiasm that will keep audiences engaged, and Hardy personifies the tragic, larger-than-life leader reminiscent of Marlon Brando as his story is told. Michael Shannon, Damon Herriman, Mike Faist, and Norman Reedus add the character layers needed to make this a rich experience that draws the focus back to the three central characters.
The Bikeriders may be a very different film than many may expect from these stars. Yet Jeff Nichols stays true to his indie roots and delivers a character-driven ride worth catching. As he cuts the edge between reality and fiction, the celebrated filmmaker unpacks the rich and raw atmosphere of a world inaccessible to most of society and allows us to come along for the ride.
Reel Dialogue: The value of community
What Danny Lyon's photos show and Jeff Nichols' film convey is the human need for community. They show how something simple like the passion for motorcycles can bring people together and how relationships are formed beyond merely this one common element. This leads the narrative to depict how community survival comes when people are willing to come together and move forward in unity.
It is reminiscent of the words from Ecclesiastes, which state that two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.’ (Chapter 4:4-12)
These wise words from Solomon add another layer of importance to the people in our lives. Also, suppose one continues reading more within this book of the Bible. In that case, you will discover that the true inspiration for community and connection can only be found through God.
