Written & Directed By: Jeff Nichols

Based on the book by: Danny Lyon

Cinematography: Adam Stone

Editor: Julie Monroe

Cast: Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Emory Cohen, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Beau Knapp, Karl Glusman, Damon Herriman, Toby Wallace, Will Oldham 

After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, a member of the Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.

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There seems to be so much to say as this film could’ve been epic, but I don’t know if it was budgetary reasons or wanting to stay more abstract that it doesn’t fulfill its own strength and greatness. 

It’s not a bad film but there are still some great flourishes and ideas throughout. it kind of feels a little bit like GOODFELLAS and portrays an era of certain motorcycle gangs not the exact beginning but the beginning in hell over the years it changes. a kind of anthropology lesson. 

How’s the next generation evolved, but also brought down and moratorium from its less than innocent beginnings, there seems to be a purity at the beginning of the gang until it truly became more about being criminals.

Even when the change comes, you know by the name of the gang, the renegades and pretty much losing it when things change more through cheating than anything or one-upmanship

It works as Austin Butler’s performance is more mysterious and cool kind of a ghost, but also a heartthrob and a cipher that everyone wants a piece of and is mystified by.

He’s the cool beautiful loner the mystique most all strive for and what attracts most to the allure 

For some, the audience might be tested between the accent of Tom Hardy, who once again doesn’t really talk much, and Jodie Comer, who creates a believable character as long as you can get past her voice and accent. She is really our entrance to the gang as she gets more and more involved in the gang. She wanders we learn more about them.

It shows the different generations of the club it would help us get more of an update and maybe a little more in-depth into more of their personal lives when not riding and modes of income.  The evolution of the club and how it got more ruthless and less about companionship and about crime and not caring about the camaraderie and  brotherhood 

The film tries to paint a portrait of its own Americana only it needs a stronger and tighter screenplay and. Or seem so random and taking more of a sideline view and watching the character back with no certain direction. Though the film doesn’t have its moments and can pack a punch once in a while 

The film goes for a nostalgic feeling for a lost time while trying to illustrate not only what was lost as the years went by but not only a loss of innocence but of certain morals and decency. Even though it tries to show the good old days had its own set of problems and wasn’t all saccharine. 

It’s own updated western with similar themes of a disappearing horizon, way of life, and type of characters. 

Grade: B