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CAST
CHRISTIAN BALE
MATT DAMON
CAITRIONA BALFE
JON BERNTHAL
REMO GIRONE
NOAH JUPE
TRACY LETTS
JOSH LUCAS
RAY McKINNON
WRITTEN BY
JEZ BUTTERWORTH
JOHN-HENRY BUTTERWORTH
JASON KELLER
PRODUCED BY
PETER CHERNIN
JAMES MANGOLD
JENNO TOPPING
DIRECTED BY
JAMES MANGOLD
GENRE
BIOGRAPHY
DRAMA
SPORT
RATED
AUS:M
UK:12A
USA:PG-13
RUNNING TIME
152 MIN |
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Driven by the performances of Christian Bale and Matt Damon, Ford v Ferrari is a sleek and depth filled story about human ingenuity, the thrill of competition, and the bond between two men of differing philosophies but a common goal.
The best sports movies are those that deal with drama both on and off the chosen competitive field, finding depth in their characters, while displaying their athletic prowess to aplomb and applause. The lessons learned in life are also learned in competition, with underdog tales especially potent. For some reason, racing car movies just do not transition with the same verocity as, say, a boxing movie. Despite the thrill, despite the characters, and despite the danger, movies such as Rush and Le Man are few and far between. Ford v Ferrari not only curbs that trend, but most certainly situates itself at the top of its selected sub-genre.
Directed by James Mangold (Logan), the based on true events Ford v Ferrari stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, world renowned racer, car engineer, and the first American to win the prestigious and dangerous Le Mans race. When approached by Ford marketing executive Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal) to build a racing car with the intent of winning Le Mans and sticking it to Ferrari, Shelby recruits British race-car driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), whose competitive yet combative resolve often has him at odds with the establishment.
The phrase "more than a car movie" has been used quite a bit in reference to Ford v Ferrari, and there is some truth to that. The spirit of innovation, creativity, and competition are indeed universal themes to all matter of story. Yet the unique nature of motor-racing as a sport of precision, technology, and high risk of fatality, means that, yes, Ford v Ferrari is very much a "car movie", and more power to it for being so. When Shelby says with self-knowing smirk "it's not just about speed", that right there gives a hint and a half that these men do more than just go "vroom!" around a track. There is an art and a science that is part of the motorsport process, and many complex characters behind the wheel.
In Shelby and Miles, here are two men with the same competitive edge, yet different philosophies in their pursuit to attain victory. Shelby is the charmer who could sell anything, and back-up his word as an astute businessman and team leader, who is this case is tested with achieving an impossible feat. Key to doing so is Miles and his brash, non-conformist attitude, and unwillingness to play the ‘game’. He is also a top of the line race car driver and engineer in his own right, the kind of man you would want if you want to win.
Damon and Bale play their roles with charisma and depth, portraying men of innovation and competition with engrossing energy and palpable chemistry. Mangold has a knack for directing great performances from his actors, and Ford vs Ferrari is no exception, with supporting turns from Josh Lucas as a suitably swarmy Ford exec Lee Beebe, and Tracy Letts who is excellent and hilarious as a Henry Ford II driven by egomaniacal and competitive angst.
Beautifully photographed by Phedon Papamichael (Nebraska), expertly edited by Andrew Buckland (Get On Up), Michael McCusker (Logan), and Dirk Westervelt (Deadpool 2), and complete with a brilliant score from Marco Beltrami (The Hurt Locker) and Buck Sanders (A Quiet Place), Ford v Ferrari proves to be a film of style and substance, with a revving, rumbling, and pulsating engine under its hood, that not only takes this biopic vehicle over the finish line, but does so in a blaze of glory.
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