The Bikeriders Movie Review

  

The Bikeriders

Director: Jeff Nichols

Stars: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer

Runtime: 1 hour 56 mins

Genre: Crime Drama

The Bikeriders which is based on a real life biker gang who are rivals to the Hell's Angels is directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud, Midnight Special). It marks my second film of the year starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. This movie which is also written by Nichols had been percolating in the directors mind for the past 5 years. He left this summer's A Quiet Place: Day One to direct this movie. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

The Bikeriders spans the late 1950s to 1970's and is set in the Midwest. After a chance encounter at a bar, headstrong Kathy (Comer) is drawn to Benny (Butler) a member of a motorcycle club the Vandals MC. From it's innocent beginnings, the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence and Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club and it's founder Johnny (Hardy). 

My overall thoughts...

So, firstly if you are going into this movie thinking it's going to be an action movie, you need to re-adjust your expectations. This movie is more of a slow burn than a thrill ride, that is not to say it is not thrilling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric movie. I could literally smell the endless cigarettes being lit with Zip lighters, the leather jackets, burning rubber and engines and of the motorbikes. 

Brilliantly directed by Nichols with a stellar cast who give their A-game in a movie that is beautifully shot with a sharp well written script and engaging story. The movie also never takes itself too seriously and features some funny parts.

Cast

The Bikeriders features a star studded cast. Headlining the movie is Austin Butler and Jodie Comer who firmly stamp their movie-star status with winning turns in this movie.

Butler, who came hot off the production of Dune Part 2, plays Benny a man who's actions speak louder than his words. Hit em' first, think later. Very much channelling James Dean (who I think he could nail in a biopic). He is excellent, brooding and always simmering like a pot on the stove.

Jodie Comer who equally had just finished filming The End We Start From (Cracking movie btw) as Kathy (Benny's girlfriend) serves as the movies narrator via voice over. The movie is largely told in flashback as Kathy recounts the life and times of The Vandals to Danny (Mike Faist) a journalist and photographer who in real life creates the book this movie is based on. Comer is excellent (what a surprise) and has a seamless accent.

Tom Hardy who plays the clubs enigmatic leader and founder Johnny is my favourite character in the movie. Despite the actor choosing a bizarre hard-to-place accent (which you can see in the movie is inspired by Marlon Brando in The Wild One), I found his performance to be thoroughly engrossing. With regards his accent Hardy has gone on record as saying his real accent sounds like a "bourgeois middle class t***" so maybe he chooses to adopt these voices to distance himself from his own? 

Michael Shannon, one of my favourite actors who I loved in Nichol's Midnight Special plays Zipco an unhinged member of the gang who has a hatred for Pinkos. (College kids)

Boyd Holbrook, last seen in Indy 5, is excellent Cal the gang mechanic. 

On screen Action

So as I say this is a slow burn so whilst there are action set pieces, they are organic and well woven into the story. Whilst there are some fights and motorbike & police chases, you in no way could call this an "action" movie.  

Cinematography & Effects

Adam Stone DP excels with the movies cinematography, it is beautifully shot. The whole look of the movie has an authentic washed colour palette and gritty visuals which makes you feel like it is a genuine period piece.

Music, Score & Sound

David Wingo once again collaborates with Nichols and creates a brilliant score that helps direct the audience as they watch the movie. There are some great 60's and early 70's needle drops that accompany some of the open road scenes, which work really well.  

The movie also features great sound design for the motorbikes, when the first bobbed 1956 Harley-Davidson FLH is fired up it was reminiscent of the Batmobile firing up in The Batman. In doing so you are under no illusion that motorbikes are at the heart of this movie.

Gritty, authentic and engaging. The Bikeriders may feel more slow burn than action thrill ride but it is thrilling non the less. A beautiful looking movie with an engaging story and fantastic central performances from Hardy, Butler & Comer. 

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS