By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The revving of a chrome engine, the scent of motor oil, and the freedom of two wheels on the open road have long captivated cinema audiences. Jeff Nichols's new film, "The Bikeriders", inspired by the early years of the real life Chicago Outlaws biker gang, now fictionalized as the Vandals, delves into this iconic subculture. Starring Austin Butler and Tom Hardy, the film weaves a narrative of transformation from innocence to experience, reflecting on the allure and danger of biker culture during the 1960s.
Mythologizing the Biker Subculture
"The Bikeriders" draws from Danny Lyon's seminal photojournalism book, which documented his time with the motorcycle club in the early 1960s. Lyon's work provided a window into the lives of the rough and ready outsiders of the biker world. In the film, Austin Butler portrays Benny, the gang's most charismatic member, while Jodie Comer plays his partner Kathy, and Tom Hardy stars as Johnny, the gang's leader. The story unfolds from Kathy's perspective, as she recounts her experiences to an audio recorder, much like she did with Lyon in real life.
Since the rise of the US motorcycle gang movie in the 1950s, epitomized by "The Wild One" (1953) with Marlon Brando, the genre has symbolized counterculture, rebellion, danger, and freedom. Nichols, with his deep interest in US cultural history, was drawn to Lyon's book in his twenties. "I was immediately captivated by the photographs and the transcribed interviews of the bikers and their wives, which offered a complete picture of their subculture," he told. Nichols spent years developing a cohesive story from Lyon's disparate transcripts, eventually centering it around a love triangle inspired by the real Kathy's anecdotes about Benny.
The film uses Kathy's voiceover to create a nostalgic, mythic quality, luxuriating in the iconography of the era motorcycle boots, leather jackets, and cigarettes. Austin Butler's portrayal of Benny, with his piercing blue eyes and monosyllabic mumble, perfectly embodies the romanticized rebel. Nichols meticulously recreated many of Lyon's original photographs, including Benny leaning over a pool table, to visually enchant the viewer.
The Complex Appeal of Biker Culture
Nichols's casting choices, including Tom Hardy as Johnny, add depth to the film's exploration of biker culture. Hardy's character, who is depicted watching "The Wild One", highlights the real life influence of film and television on biker gangs. "The real Johnny started the club with a family style photo album that included a TV Guide clipping of Marlon Brando. He had no idea he was founding what would become the Chicago Outlaws, the second largest motorcycle gang in the world," Nichols explained.
Initially, biker gangs began as social clubs for hobbyist mechanics and racers, but over time, many evolved into organized crime groups. Nichols captures this transition, portraying the rift between the original "beer drinkers" and the newer "pot smokers" and "drug takers." The Vietnam War veterans who joined the clubs brought heavier drug use, leading to increased violence. "These new guys… none of 'em listen," Hardy's Johnny laments, underscoring the lost ideals of the original club.
The film also touches on the gender dynamics and the appeal of biker culture. Women and men alike were drawn to the rebellious image of bikers. The 1960s girl group, The Shangri Las, famously romanticized dead biker boyfriends in their music, a sentiment echoed in the film through Kathy's attraction to the culture. Nichols emphasizes this tension in Kathy's character, who is torn between the absurdity and allure of biker masculinity. "There’s this tension in masculinity, because we know so much of it is just silly and ridiculous. Yet, it's attractive," Nichols noted.
Moreover, "The Bikeriders" acknowledges the homoerotic undertones of biker culture, depicted in scenes of intimate male camaraderie. A notable moment in the film features Johnny and Benny at a campfire, where their conversation carries an unspoken tension, hinting at deeper emotional bonds.
"The Bikeriders" offers a nuanced examination of biker culture, blending mythic Americana with raw realism. Through its portrayal of rebellion, masculinity, and the complex dynamics of the biker subculture, the film captures both the allure and the darker aspects of a world that continues to fascinate audiences.