Take The Test Drive w/ Ford v Ferrari (Movie Review)
There was a time when the old Brian would have found such a movie like Ford v Ferrari to be a wet dream. Up until about two years ago my world literally revolved around my 2006 Mustang GT. She, affectionately named Dark Angel after Jessica Alba’s failed TV show back in the day, was everything to me. She was the only physical connection left to my old life in Cleveland, OH and my bridge to the proverbial road ahead. I never imagined a day without her. Then some “great” guy in Austin, TX, whose hair just happen to get in his eyes while driving (no kidding), took my world away from me. My life has never been the same. I absolutely hate driving nowadays and pretty much want nothing at all to do with cars anymore to the point where I sadly drive a Honda Civic I named Vegas. However, I digress because secretly my motor had been revving with anticipation for Ford v Ferrari. So fill up your racing tanks and speed on down below with me as I test drive Ford v Ferrari.
The film is directed by the man who helmed my favorite two Wolverine movies, James Mangold. The screenplay was assembled by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller. Ford v Ferrari stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale in the driver seats with Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone and Ray McKinnon in supporting roles. The plot features automotive visionary Carroll Shelby (Damon) and his driver, Ken Miles (Bale), who are handed the impossible task of building a Ford that can beat the Ferrari racing team at the Le Mans 24-hour race in France. While Ford v Ferrari may not debut until the 14th it already had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this past August.
Let’s further discuss the plot a little bit more as frankly one sentence about it up above just doesn’t do it justice. While I would love to say this is simply a story about the late, great Carroll Shelby (Damon), it’s so much more. First you have his driver, Ken Miles (Bale), who literally steals the show as equally as Damon does. Second, you have all these supporting performances that are equally fantastic like Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca (vice-president of Ford), Tracy Letts as Henry Ford II, Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe and many more. After witnessing the magic of Ford v Ferrari and these aforementioned performances I could care less that Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were once attached to star in this. Brad Pitt who? Exactly!
I realize I did not even really address the plot up above, but rest assured I’m getting there. There are just so many thrilling aspects to explore here. Yes, it’s a racing movie, but it goes beyond that. It’s also a buddy film. Even deeper this one touches the battle against corporate greed and politics. You see Ford Motors may have hired Shelby to build a car that can beat the Ferrari, but that doesn’t mean he truly had full carte blanche. Oh no! Corporate greed, interference and politics were just as antagonizing as battling the physics of designing such a car capable of accomplishing this seemingly impossible feat of besting the Ferrari in an event it steals every year. And what they don’t tell you is just because you have a car such as the GT40, which can break every speed record, doesn’t equate to an instant victory. You also need a driver! However, just not any driver will do. You need one who knows every nuance of the car and the patience/reaction abilities to overcome unpredictable issues. It begs to differ though that the right driver could anticipate such problems. Am I right?
Ford v Ferrari is easily my number three film of the year behind Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and the Joker. It’s a thrill ride, but not because of the obvious racing moments. Don’t get me wrong they were amazing. However, what’s equally amazing is the compelling story of these two gentlemen. Against all odds they toppled the Ferrari empire, made driving a Ford cool and through the power of friendship conquered some very disturbing corporate politics that would easily sink any modern day company nowadays with their way of thinking herein. So needless to say the thrilling racing moments and fast times were literally the icing on this perfect cake. Make no mistake though that between races as you find yourself catching your breath you can kind of see how formulaic this one is, but the compelling story, fantastic performances, playful banter and humor and thrilling action quickly pull you back in the driver’s seat. Short answer Ford v Ferrari never pumps the brake on delivering a good time. Best of all you don’t have to be a racing or car fan to appreciate Ford v Ferrari. You just have to love a good movie. Vroom! Vroom! Enjoy!
Brian White
Owner/Writer/Reviewer/Editor, Dreamer, Producer, Agent of Love, Film Lover, Writer of Screenplays and a Devoted Apostle to all things Ford Mustangs (the real ones with V8's!). Some of my favorite films include FIGHT CLUB, MOULIN ROUGE, THE DARK KNIGHT, STAR WARS alongside television shows such as SEINFELD, 24, SANFORD & SON and even the often loathed in the geek community BIG BANG THEORY. Outside of my three lives I live I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and our three girls (of the furry kind).
