Since the mid-1980s, James Mangold has had quite a successful career as a writer, producer, and director. His first film, the independent drama Heavy, was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and Cannes in 1995. He followed that up with 1997’s Cop Land, which also helped revitalize Sylvester Stallone’s career which was slumping. Mangold also directed 1999’s Girl, Interrupted, which won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Angelina Jolie. After Kate & Leopold in 2001 and Identity in 2003, Mangold’s next major film was 2005’s Walk the Line. A biopic about Johnny Cash, the film was both a commercial and critical success, earning five Oscar nominations. 2007 marked the first time Mangold would work with actor Christian Bale on the Western remake 3:10 to Yuma. Cut to twelve years later, where Mangold has teamed up again with Bale for a new biopic, Ford v Ferrari.
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Synopsis
Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) was a professional racer who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans but had to retire. Sometime later, he gets an offer from Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal), the VP of Ford Motors, for a major project. After a botched deal with Ferrari, Ford wants to build a car to compete against them at Le Mans. With that, Shelby decides to enlist British racer/mechanic Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help build the car. However, Miles has doubts that such a task can be met considering the quality of cars Ferrari makes. At the same time, Leo Beebe (Josh Lucas), a senior executive VP at Ford, has his doubts about Miles. Despite this, Shelby and Miles push forward to get their car made and ready to race at Le Mans. Will they succeed and outdo Ferrari, or will they be left in the dust?
Review
Going into Ford v Ferrari, I didn’t have much to go on other than the cast and director involved. I did know that this was based on a true story, but I was unfamiliar with said story. That being said, Ford v Ferrari is a thoroughly enjoyable film with some incredible performances and stellar directions. Damon and Bale, both great actors on their own, are phenomenal together, having great back and forths with each other. Even when they fight and have their disagreements, you can tell that there’s a real friendship between them. As per usual, Josh Lucas does a good job playing a complete sleazeball who’s fun to hate. Bernthal is also good, and special mention should go to Caitriona Balfe and Noah Jupe as Bale’s wife and son. Both of them help add human drama, are fun and memorable characters, and have great scenes with Bale.
Despite the title, the focus isn’t necessarily on Ford or Ferrari, but more so on two guys against two corporations. Throughout Ford v Ferrari, you follow these two guys as they work together despite having Ford breathing down their necks. Even if you’re not into cars, it’s fascinating seeing these guys trying to build this perfect race car. It all leads up to the big race at Le Mans, which is a pretty tense and thrilling sequence. If I had any issues, I’d say that there may be some scenes that went on a bit too long. Also, despite him being what sets things in motion, Bernthal sort of disappears at about the halfway point. Even with that said, this is yet another fantastic film from a fantastic director of other fantastic films. Overall, Ford v Ferrari is an enjoyable film about the creative spirit and overcoming the odds.
Buy Ford v Ferrari on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g3t5G8.
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