Synopsis
Former racer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) is asked by the Ford Motor Company to make a car to race in Le Mans with the help of disagreeable driver, Ken Miles (Christian Bale).
Thoughts
This film is two and a half hours long, and I thought that was excessive for a film about crossing the finish line as soon as possible. Director James Mangold knew exactly what he was doing with that time. Each scene and location is perfectly sculpted for his needs. Ford v Ferrari is a fast-paced biopic that keeps you watching and rooting for them every step of the way.
The acting by the two leads, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, is infectious. Their chemistry and lively characters make for great underdogs and great performances. As the cars fly by the screen, our hearts race after them. Christian Bale, especially, plays an angry and charismatic character, caught between his talent and knowledge between internal strife in the Ford Motor Company’s oversight as well as his own ego. He plays a complex character to his utmost ability. This is the kind of movie that makes you want to press on the gas pedal a little harder when you drive home.
Rating
- 4 Stars = Excellent
- 3 1/2 Stars = Great
- 3 Stars = Good
- 2 1/2 Stars = Decent or Fair
- 2 Stars = OK
- <2 Stars = Bad
Ford v Ferrari is a fun, heart-pumping biopic, with some of the trappings of that kind of film. James Mangold has assembled all the right pieces for a thrilling film: great actors, a big challenge for the characters, and great cinematography that puts us right in the action. This film glides by, and you don’t even care. You just want to see where it goes.
There are some minor flaws like the poor writing for Mollie Miles (Caitrinoa Balfe), which made her performance seem choppy and unrealistic at times. There are also several endings that kind of take this film out of the pace it has set itself. Other than that, there is a lot to love. Three stars.
Ry Guy's Review 