The Bikeriders (#567)


The movie I saw yesterday was interesting, unusual and very good.  And it featured standout performances by three leading actors — Tom Hardy as Johnny, Austin Butler as Benny, and Jodie Comer as Kathy. (I was not familiar with the careers of the latter two).  And the cinematography in THE BIKERIDERS  is noteworthy. The film, largely narrated by Kathy, is the story of a motorcycle club started and led by Johnny in the Chicago area. It is simply that — a motorcycle club of beer drinkers and no more than that.  It takes place in the tumultuous sixties and is a reason for a bunch of guys to get together because of their love of motorcycles.  Benny is an off-kilter loner but also a member of the club who acted unhinged much of the time.  The club's popularity grows and bikers from other parts of the country seek them out to join, with Johnny being most selective about who is allowed to join.  Kathy tells her story to a photographer who is chronicling the Vandals, the name of the club, and she marries Benny.  But times change and gradually with new members preferring pot smoking to beer drinking, so does the club, getting more involved in violent and illegal practices.  Throughout the film, Kathy is urging Benny to leave the club, but he seems unable to shake the lure of Johnny, who becomes a really scary dude but showing some redeeming qualities. The nearly 2 hour film was never boring, never dull.  Most critics (82%) and audiences (74%) gave it a thumbs up.  A warning!  Some of the violent scenes are graphic.

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