Ford v Ferrari

     Ford v Ferrari is directed by James Mangold (Logan) and stars Matt Damon (The Martian), Christian Bale (The Dark Knight), and Caitriona Balfe (Escape Plan). It tells the story of a revolutionary car race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, and the true story of car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Bale).
     This type of movie is a dying breed. Not based on any existing intellectual property, made for adults, and with movie stars for over seventy-five million dollars is the type of movie that Hollywood is wary to make because of the lack of return on investment. Yet movies like this are the type that I hope we continue to see be made. Directors like James Mangold have an interesting vision and something to say, and small budgets may limit the scope of that message. Even though I have little interest in car racing, I am a big fan of Damon and Bale, so seeing them team up is something I will always get excited for.
     The highlights of Ford v Ferrari are the extended car racing sequences. Incredibly thrilling, the races put you in the driver's position, helping you to understand decisions made that would otherwise get lost in standard montage sequences. The practical crashes add to the realism and the stunt work should be award winning (if the Oscars finally decides to add a stunt work category).
     Every actor is on top of their game. It was jarring to learn that Bale is actually British, and often uses an American accent in movies, a fact that makes me respect other roles he has had even more. Damon is of course great, and it is a nice return to form after a recent string of misfires for the Oscar winner (see Suburbicon, Downsizing, and The Great Wall). Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead) plays a Ford executive, and is slowly turning into one of the best character actors of this generation, a guy whose face you recognize even if you can't place where. He is reliable to turn in a great performance every time he shows up.
     Although Ford and Ferrari are the titular names in the title, the central force of the movie more closely follows the battle within Ford itself. This inversion of expectations reverses what you would normally expect from a sports movie. Even when it is clear who the victor between the two titans are, drama still unfolds from within the ranks of Ford. And rather than fade to black at the end of the race of Le Mans, thirty or so minutes remain.
     While the movie appears to be following a standard formula, it actually uses this formula as a vehicle to showcase great acting, incredible stunts, and beautiful cinematography.

When should you see it?
Opening Night