Director Jeff Nichols' "The Bikeriders" is an attempt to recreate an era representative of the Midwest biker culture between 1965 to 1973. Despite the meticulous detail put into creating an authentic atmospheric setting and a cast of intriguing characters, the film sometimes struggles to maintain its focus and adequately develop its narrative.
The story follows Kathy, played by Jodie Comer, who helps the audience navigate this chaotic world. She finds herself attracted to the rebellious freedom embodied by Benny, a member of the Chicago Vandals club. However, Kathy's journey through this tumultuous society often feels disjointed due to insufficient backstories and the abrupt shift of focus toward other characters.
As we delve deeper into the Vandals' world, we discover a group of men who, despite their individual fears and lives, unify to form a fearsome pack. Nichols succeeds excellently in this portrayal, symbolizing the bikers' internal struggle between their desire for steely masculinity and the gentler soul that resides within them.
The film's first half elegantly captures the advent of the biking culture. However, it fails to convincingly depict its decline associated with the return of PTSD-affected soldiers from the Vietnam War and the impact of the violent youth culture. The narrative's shift from Benny and Kathy to Johnny and Kathy leaves audiences unsatisfied, especially due to Comer's portrayal of Kathy, which seems to lack depth and authenticity.
A crucial element in the plot, the Vietnam War, fails to create a significant impact. The effect of the war on the disenchanted youth isn't explored fully, resulting in a thin connection between the two aspects.
Despite Butler's initially forgettable role as Benny, a second viewing reveals his immaculate performance as he captures Nichols' vision of exposed masculinity. But without his screen presence, the film loses some of its initial allure.
The film's second half mostly devoid of Butler becomes a shallow representation of a past era. It veers dangerously close to becoming a superficial imitation of counterculture figures rather than providing a profound commentary on the illusion of the American Dream. "The Bikeriders" attempts to recreate an era and ends up feeling hollow and unfocused, failing to induce a sense of nostalgia or mourning for the times it tries to represent.
