Exhilarating, hilarious, and soulful to the bone, this fast car rollercoaster of a drama runs like a legendary Shelby Cobra hitting top speed. Power plays between strong-willed men pitted at diametrically opposed angles, provides brutally funny depictions of ego, determination, and one-upmanship. Audience laughs come fast and often. Matt Damon and Christian Bale could not have been better cast for such a demanding story of desire, drive, and determination.
The racing sequences are stunning. The 1966 Le Mans makes for one hell of a centerpiece. You really get a feel for how fast these guys were driving in supremely unsafe conditions. Catching on fire is no joke regardless of how fireproof the driver’s suits are. For many fast car lovers Ford v Ferrari will be be a must-own Blu-ray. This is one fun thrill ride of a movie that commands repeated viewings. Emotional and physical gravity tear out like rubber peeling on hot asphalt.
Here is an addictively entertaining true-life drama that focuses on how gifted and less-gifted men communicate and jockey for position. What takes place on the racetrack comes down from corporate orders above. We love the drivers, the corporate bean-counters not so much. Multiple antagonists loom large over races that send your heart racing.
Caitriona Balfe steals the movie as auto engineer Ken Miles’s (Bale) super cool wife Mollie. For his part Christian Bale chews up every beat and line with a romantic sense of purpose. Christian Bale playing a hot tempered race car driver and mechanic, sign me up.
Matt Damon carries his ineffable charm with such humility that you almost feel sorry for him having to balance intention and motivation with such ease. “Ford v Ferrari” is an example of Hollywood living up to half of its promise. It might not be a perfect movie, but it is a pretty damn good one.
Rated PG-13. 152 mins.
