Ford v Ferrari (Review)
Ford v Ferrari is a Well Oiled Machine in the Hands of an Expert Driver.
Fall is upon us and the smell of Oscar season is wafting warmly through the air. So it makes sense that Ford V Ferrari is hitting theaters now. Hell, you might even say that it’s leading the pack of heavy-handed films that always seem to come a-knocking just as seasonal depression is at it’s highest. Ford V Ferrari is far from the typical glacial, depressing, “for your consideration” movie that always roll out these last two months of the year. Instead, it’s a heated, fast-paced flick that manages to take every corner perfectly. It sets the perfect tone for this time of year and right now it looks like it just might be the film to beat.
It would be tough to legitimately call Ford V Ferrari an underdog film. After all, it’s based on the true story of Ford going to war with Ferrari after the Italian carmaker insulted them during an attempted acquisition in the 60s. Unlike Ferrari, Ford had plenty of money to burn, so they hired the best race car designer in history, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to kick the smug espresso sipping bastards butt during the 24 Hours at Le Mans (the Superbowl of racing). Being an experienced racer himself (who had at won Le Mans), Shelby knew that the secret to winning wouldn’t just be a fast car, but a driver who knew just how to push it to its limits. That’s why he turned to Ken Miles (Christian Bale), a man born the race. Together they managed to make history.
It’s hard to know where to start with Ford V Ferrari. Everything about it comes together perfectly under the watchful eye of director James Manigold who grasps that it’s a movie more about the men than the machine. Of course, the Ford 40GT is an absolute beast and incredibly dangerous in inexperienced hands and Manigold is sure to show just how deadly it can potentially be at its top speed. However, this isn’t a story about the biggest car company in the world simply throwing money at a problem. It’s about the men that pour their blood, sweat, and tears into a calling they love more than anything else on this planet. They’re men who aren’t doing something they want to do, it’s something they HAVE to do. Manigold captures that perfectly as he takes a close look at the struggles both Shelby and Miles have to go through in order to get their day on the track.
Christian Bale is probably one of the most dedicated actors working in Hollywood right now. The man lost almost 70lbs since his portrayal of former Vice-President (and current psychopath) Dick Cheney in 2018’s Vice. Of course, he kind of had to if he wanted to actually fit into the Ford 40GT, which is cramped at best. His lean physique and dedication to getting the ebb and flow of the British racer gives him a chance to turn in an incredible physical and emotional performance. There’s a reason that Bale is an Oscar winner and he proudly puts his talents on display here. However, he’s equally matched by Damon who proves he’s not to be underestimated as the legendary Shelby. This whole operation falls on his shoulders and he’s forced to keep the execs at Ford and his hot-headed driver happy, both of whom seem to be constantly at each other’s throats. Damon and Bale share incredible chemistry with each other, throwing punches one moment and fondly embracing another, making them one of the best on-screen duos of the year.
Ford V Ferrari is an incredibly fast-paced movie, but it doesn’t feel rushed in the slightest. It’s got a lot of history to cover in order to set these characters up to be the inspiration that they are. Sure, they had a ton of money to work with, but they also had a bunch of arrogant pencil pushers constantly trying to tie one hand behind their backs because they believed their positions at Ford meant they knew more than the grease monkeys they hired. This isn’t the kind of movie with a clear villain, just a lot of villainous people too egotistical to realize that they have no idea what they’re talking about. It sets up a lot of tension, especially when they decide that Ken Miles isn’t the kind of driver that they want to represent Ford. Luckily, Shelby goes to bat for the cause he believes in, and proves to be the perfect shield for his friend and partner on the project. That is the inspiring part of this story. Standing up to fat cats and telling them that their money doesn’t mean that they own you. For me, that was almost as thrilling as the epic final race itself.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Bale and Damon will get the credit they deserve for their performances in Ford V Ferrari. While their emotional energy might stand out the most in the film, none of it would have been possible without Manigold being able to capture it so perfectly. He understands the human element so well that their love of cars and racing is infectious to the point where even the scenes with them talking about valves and brakes are as enthralling as the ones on the track. Ford V Ferrari is a masterpiece and one of the best racing movies of all time. Even those of you who aren’t gearheads will want to catch this movie in theaters. When you do, see it in the biggest format you can, because, just like in the cars themselves, the feel of the roar of the engine makes it worth every penny.
