This film captures a rebellious time in America--the middle to end of the 1960's--when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Jodie Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Austin Butler), the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club. This film involves a photographer/journalist, Danny (Mike Faist) interviewing Kathy with the story becoming a flashback.
Others to round out the cast are Michael Shannon as Zipco, Boyd Holbrook as Cal, Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny, Damen Herriman as Brucie, Beau Knapp as Wahoo, Emory Cohen as Cockroach, Karl Glusman as Corky, Toby Wallace as The Kid and Happy Anderson as Big Jack.
This was directed with grit amongst the rawness of the story by Jeff Nichols ("Shotgun Stories" '07, "Take Shelter" '11, "Mud" '12,"Midnight Special" '16, "Loving" '16) plus a music video and a podcast series. This filmmaker hasn't produced a huge quantity of work, however, it's really all about quality which Nichols has proved--if you question his ability, watch the film "Mud"--which he also wrote--and this will prove his ability. The nuances he displayed when it came to the interaction of his actors was amazing. His eye for detail was stunning. It was also written with painstaking clarity by Nichols (See above resume) plus a short, inspired by the book "The Bikeriders" by Danny Lyon. I'm not sure how the book was written, but Nichols' retelling of the trials and tribulations of the lives of these men was, in several sections of the story, chilling. But, even with the aggressiveness of these guys, the film still showed their vulnerable side so as to relay to us that they still possessed weaknesses in which were covered up often behind their bravado. Being set in predominantly the 60's, it did amaze me how much people did smoke then, but this was a gang. Although looking back to that time, my being in my 70's, I can remember that the public did smoke quite abundantly. And since this is a rough and tumble gang, the expletives are aplenty--you've been warned. I certainly can respect Nichols' directing the work he writes, since it can produce a much better and cleaner screenplay. All three stars--Comer, Butler and Hardy were amazing in their respective roles and could possibly see Oscar nods come that time.
If you like films such as "On the Waterfront", "Five Easy Pieces" even "The Outsiders" (this being a 'juiced up version of that film), then you certainly will revel with this. Even if you don't, the quality writing and directing would woo one into the theater. This is a tough film to watch at times, but we are talking about a lifestyle of violence and poor outcomes of situations.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: R 116mins.
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