The Bikeriders

This film will likely have meaning to only one person, ME!

Based on a book by Danny Lyon, this is a movie about Midwest biker clubs from 1965-73. However, even great performances from Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer and Austin Butler can’t save Bikeriders from its repetitive destruction.

In summary fashion, Hardy plays Johnny, the head of the bicycle gang known as the Chicago Vandals. The members like him and he enjoys the freedom away from his wife and job.

Ms. Comer is wonderful as an outsider who falls in love with Austin Butler’s outlaw known as Benny. He is drifting through life and you will never forget an opening scene where he takes a vicious beating in a bar where one foot is nearly chopped off.

But the film leaves you emotionally shaking your head as the club is taken over by younger riders during the Vietnam era. They drift from a social club into a menacing group inspired by drugs and violence.

What made this film so interesting to me is that it caused me to relive my early years as a criminal defense lawyer from the late 1970’s though the 1980’s. After helping David, an inmate needing some legal advice, he turned out to be the head of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Indianapolis.

After his release he sought my services for various club members. He was a college dropout with a warm personality, and I greatly enjoyed my professional interaction with the club in their two homes and nightclubs in downtown Indianapolis.

As an example, one of my favorite members was Ewell “Piss Pockets” Pogue. Usually high on various substances, two prostitutes would accompany him to every court hearing! He put his name and birth date on his arm in ink to help refresh his memory!

But my days helping the Outlaws ended when David, like Johnny, was gunned down by an Outlaw wanting his leadership position. As happened to the Vandals, the Outlaws quickly became a dangerous, reckless gang.

After attending David’s funeral, I politely ended my legal help. Tom Hardy’s Johnny had a lot in common with David.