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The Bikeriders (in theaters)
There are two ways to watch “The Bikeriders.”
The first way is simply soaking in the vibes. Director Jeff Nichols was inspired to make the movie by a photo/interview book of the same name, and his commitment to capturing the late 1960s biker experience is intense. He’s also clearly deeply attached to James Dean, whose essence is also all over this movie. You can see it most clearly in the form of Austin Butler’s character Benny, a physically gorgeous encapsulation of the fierce, pure, independent spirit Dean has always symbolized. The movie devotes a ton of energy to celebrating both vibes, and if you’re a fan of either you’ll definitely leave this movie well-fed.
The other way to watch it is as an English Lit major preparing to write an essay. Nichols has a lot to say with this movie, starting with simultaneously mythologizing and deconstructing the mythology of the American biker. Tom Hardy does a lot of heavy lifting on this, symbolizing both almost at the same moment, and he does a wonderful job no matter which side of the scale he’s on. Butler also serves as a metaphor for both James Dean and the fantasy of true freedom itself, made sympathetic through Butler’s performance.
Nichols is so busy exploring every side that he never quite lands on a solid thesis statement, but there’s something fascinating in following his explorations. There are a lot of big ideas here, and Nichols doesn’t want to miss any of them.
Grade: Three stars
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Thelma (in theaters)
Move over, Tom Cruise – there’s a new action star on the scene.
Meet “Thelma,” a 93-year-old woman who goes after scammers with the determination of John Wick and a sense of humor all her own. A big hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festus Festival, the movie manages to mix hilarious comedy, genuinely touching moments, and the excitement of the best action movies. When Thelma chases someone on a scooter, there’s a thrill in the fact that she means it as much or more than Cruise ever does.
When scammers trick Thelma (June Squibb) out of $10,000 by telling her her grandson needs it for bail, neither her daughter or the police are much help. She decides to get the money back herself, helped out by an old friend (Richard Roundtree) and her struggling grandson (Fred Hechinger). What happens next is both a parody of an action movie and a great action movie on its own merits, making fun of the indignities of old age without ever taking the dignity of the characters themselves. She and her partner may not be able to do as much as they used to, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the game.
Josh Margolin’s script is charming and perfectly paced, but none of it would work without Squibb and Roundtree. Squibb is a delight, funny and tough at the same time, and so full of spunk you can imagine her taking on anyone. Roundtree, in his final film role, manages to both be funny and bring moments of wonderful solemnity to proceedings. Together, they’re both a comedy and action dream team.
Grade: Three and a half stars
Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society. Find her on Twitter at @wardellwriter or drop her a line at themovieguruslc@gmail.com.
