The Bikeriders

The Bikeriders is yet another film I skipped the theaters for  and rented once the price became reasonable. There was something about the trailers that simultaneously grabbed my attention (the star power, the period setting), but left me feeling like I'd be underwhelmed. 

Both of those hunches proved to be true in a film that has all the makings to be something great, but is ultimately let down by its storytelling. 

The Bikeriders tells of a midwestern bike gang, the Vandals, through the eyes of Jodi Comer's Kathy. This interview-style approach mimics the book (and its real-life interviews) the film is based on through the eyes of one of the love interests of the gang. Kathy is smitten by Benny (Austin Butler) and tosses aside her semi-mundane life to hang out with the Vandals. Benny is under the tutelage of Johnny (Tom Hardy) as the gang navigates its growing size and interest. 

From that synopsis, it would feel like there's a rich availability for intense conflict and a strong central arc. However, while I found the character arcs mostly satisfying, the path to get there with The Bikeriders is a meandering one, never really culminating in all that much intensity, save for a scene or two. It consistently feels like it wants to tell pockets of the story, rather than the whole thing, lest it become an epic. Instead it settles for what feels a bit like a truncated experience at sub-2-hours. Rarely do I ask for a film to be longer - and I'm not sure that's what I'm asking for here - but this could have been more efficient in both its writing and direction by Jeff Nichols. The effect, ultimately, is that while The Bikeriders is undoubtedly a "good" film, and well made, but it doesn't have any staying power like the best films in similar true history dramas do. 

Luckily, even if the film won't stick with you much, it's still a fun watch. Our core cast is fantastic with Comer being the best performance (once you get past her accent). Butler does fine, but in comparison to some of his more recent extreme roles, this is tame. Hardy, similarly armed with an intense accent, is his normal great self and brings a gravitas to Johnny. These three own the majority of the film and represent some wise casting decisions. Other stars are present but quite underused (again..."is the film too short?" a question that needs to be asked?) include Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, and Norman Reedus. 

The Bikeriders is well made. The period setting that ranges from the costumes, sets, and camera coloring, is fitting and feels appropriate while the editing and cinematography is strong. The cinematography is never striking - again, there's little lasting effect here - but the whole thing is competent. 

The Bikeriders would have been a disappointing trip to the movies, but one I wouldn't have been surprised with. Instead, as a rental, it feels appropriate for the price and time I invested. There are some fun performances to watch, a generally interesting topic, and it has some fun along the way. It avoids greatness, however, by not having all that much that will stick with me outside the viewing. 

Rapid Rath's Review Score | 7/10