About the film (courtesy of 20th Century Fox):
Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in Ford v Ferarri, based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
Director James Mangold has been all over the place with the films he’s chosen to direct throughout his career. To call him versatile might be understating his ability to adapt his style to whatever his focus is currently on. From romance to action-comedy to drama, he’s been able to deliver surprisingly well. Mangold’s last work, Logan (2017), was arguably the strongest in the X-Men film franchise and was praised by critics and fans alike. Shifting gears once again, the talented director takes aim at a small piece of American history in Ford v Ferarri.
I don’t consider myself a car person but I am from the Motor City and I do drive Fords. That said, I watched Ford v Ferarri as a lover of movies rather than a lover of cars and there’s a lot to like about this movie. Starting with its acting, Matt Damon and Christian Bale are in a lane of their own as lap everyone else around them. It is truly these two that make the 152 minutes of sitting in a seat feel like you’re sitting in the back seat of a car while listening to them tell stories and pick at each other. The chemistry is great and their performances command audiences to take notice.
On the supporting side of things, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas and Ray McKinnon bring different levels of interchangeable emotions to the story as it twists and turns towards the finish line. Young Noah Jupe shows just why he’s landing roles in so many solid films over the last few years. James Mangold is able to focus on other aspects like the visual representation of Ford v Ferarri knowing that the performances are in good hands.
From a visual standpoint, Ford v Ferarri is very well done. The cinematography captures the raw power and perilous moments that these gifted drivers face day in and day out in controlling these monstrous cars on the dangerous race tracks. Realizing just how many near-death moments there are in any given race brings newfound appreciation for what these individuals do.
The cars are simply amazing as are the stories of Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles and The Ford Motor Company. Unknown to most, but the story of Ford v Ferarri changed car engineering as we know it. And the eventual race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 embodies everything that is great about this movie. The one piece of advice that I’d give anyone interested in checking it out is please, please make use of your cruise control when heading home.
Just like any good race, Ford v Ferrari starts off fast and keeps its foot on the accelerator only breaking when strategically necessary. Whether you are a self-proclaimed gearhead, race enthusiast or rabid fans of Matt Damon and/or Christian Bale, you should walk away from this one feeling mostly satisfied. Race out to see this rubber burning piece of history in theaters now.
