FORD v FERRARI
US, 2019, 152 minutes, Colour.
Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas, JJ Feild, Noah Jupe, Ray Mc Kinnon, Tracy Letts, Remo Girone.
Directed by James Mangold.
Audiences seeming unanimous that this is a very enjoyable film to watch. This reviewer is not in any way a petrol head but is prepared to make a declaration also how interesting and entertaining the film is.
This is a story of the 1960s, rivalry between the American carmakers, Ford, and the Italians, Ferrari. We get a potted history of Henry Ford, his inspiration, inventions, development of his company and how Henry II has inherited it, feeling that it has settled down to familiarity by the 1960s and wanting something more and exciting. In the meantime, in Italy, the Ferrari company has excelled in speed racing, especially at the 24-hour Le Mans competition.
We are introduced to two drivers, one American, Carroll Shelby, the other British, Ken Miles. Both had served in World War II and had achieved great success in racing competitions. The film opens with Shelby winning a competition in 1959 but with difficulties which stop him driving but moving him into design and vehicle production. Miles, with his family, lives in the United States running a repair garage but not succeeding financially.
Matt Damon gives a very strong performance as Carroll Shelby. Christian Bale, as always, takes on a far more complex character in Miles, champion, intuitive in his understanding of machines and identifying with them, but very difficult to work with.
So this is the context for Henry Ford II and his quest to construct a competition-winning car. Playwright and actor Tracy Letts gives an imperial (and imperious) dominating performance as Ford. This contrasts with Jon Bernthal as enthusiastic entrepreneur Lee Iacocca and Josh Lucas as a manipulative manager-executive, Beebe. Iacocca’s plan had been to buy the Ferrari company but it fails, Ferrari doing a deal with Fiat.
So, much of the film focuses on the building and testing of the new car, dramatisation of the friendship between the two drivers (although a strong fist fight ensues during the development), the details of the building of the car, explanation of the different stages of development, the testing.
Ken Miles, supported by a long-suffering wife, Molly (Caitriona Balfe) and a son who idolises his father (Noah Jupe) is not the favourite driver for Beebe who plots against him. Shelby, who is caught between Myles’s intensity and managing the Ford executives, does a deal with for that if Miles wins Daytona, he can drive at Le Mans (where the Ford cars, without Miles and Shelby, have had disastrous runs, to the delight of Ferrari).
For those who follow speed racing, they will know the outcome of the Le Mans race with Miles driving. For those who do not know the outcome as they watch the film, there is quite some drama in the gruelling 24-hour race, dangers, some spectacular accidents, demands on the car, on Miles himself, on Ford pressure for promoting the company.
The screenplay was written by the British Butterworth brothers, playwrights, and there is some very interesting dialogue, speeches throughout the film, delivered intensely by the two stars. (And, with some relief, the British Miles expresses himself in very British terms, and we can identify with his exasperation “Bloody Hell� instead of four letter alternatives! He is also prone to cups of tea!
The film has been directed by James Mangold, who has shown himself a versatile in a whole range of genre films. It is often excitingly photographed, well-paced in its editing, and enjoyable film for most audiences.
1. A film for fans of cars and racing? The successful impact for non-fans?
2. The title, rivalry, feuds, the 1960s?
3. The setting of Willow Creek, ordinary, homes, streets, garages? The track for events? The musical score?
4. Willow Creek, Daytona, Le Mans? The competitions, the racing, the extensive footage, immersing the audience in the races, in the cars themselves, on the track, challenges, difficulties?
5. The status of the Ford company, origins in the 1890s, Henry Ford, the development in the United States, by the 1960s? Competition, Italy? Ferrari, Fiat? The Ford company and the desire for some kind of development for the future?
6. The introduction of Carroll Shelby, Matt Damon’s performance, driving, skills, his eyes blurring, the interview with the doctor, his heart condition, the pills? Not racing – but seen driving at speed around the town? Establishing the motor company, the crew, their loyalty to him, Philip, the young man? Their work at the company, sales? The transition to developing the car for Ford?
7. The introduction to Ken Miles, British, war background, his relationship with Molly, Peter and his admiration for his father, his skill at racing, his knowing cars, empathising with them, techniques, strategies? The incident with the fire and his surviving? But considered difficult to work with? Garage and repairs? His friendship with Shelby? The creditors, the logging of his garage? No prospects? Molly and her fast driving, demanding the truth from him?
8. Henry Ford, imperious, dominating? With his executives? Lee Iacocca, his speeches, ideas, the sale and buying a Ferrari, thwarted? Beebe, the executive, his promotions, making decisions? His personality? The visit to Ferrari, the explanation of the deal, its not being accepted? The insults and their being reported to Ford, his reaction?
9. The aim to have Ford cars and design, Ferrari engines? The history of the 24 hour race at Le Mans? Ferrari victories? Ford and his hopes?
10. The idea for the sports car, Iacocca going to Shelby, the discussions, ideas? Shelby driving with Ken, the proposal?
11. The decisions, working as a team, the ideas, the physics and dynamics, the goals for the car, the screenplay and its great attention to detail? Comprehensible for the audience?
12. The sales and the the show for the Mustang? Cannes and Peter arriving, the clash with Beebe, the bad start – and the continued antagonism?
13. Shelby, his speech, promoting the sports car, talking to Ken, the work, driving? The clash and the fisticuffs?
14. Beebe, his promotion, orders? Is Interfering? Forbidding Miles to drive? The prospect of Daytona? Shelby making the deal with Henry Ford? Taking him on the drive and the effect on Ford? Never experiencing anything like that before? The deal about Ken winning at Daytona and driving at Le Mans?
15. The details of Daytona, the race, Ken and his effort, the support staff in the car, the pitstops?
16. The decision for Miles to drive? With Peter, the drawing of the map and the explanation of the course at Le Mans?
17. Travel, individual, she’ll be awake, Ken walking the course? The Ford staff presence?
18. The race, the drivers running to the car, the detail and the watching the clock, the 24 hours, the dangers, the crashes, obstructions? Ferrari watching? Beebe and his phone calls? Molly and Peter watching at home on the television? The changing of the breaks, the issue of the rules and regulations? Ferrari accident and out of the race? Ferrari tipping his hat to Miles? Beebe and his idea, the three Forwards go to the finishing line together, the difficulty of Mc Laren actually in front, giving the race title to him? Reactions? Miles, philosophical? Yet his breaking records?
19. The aftermath, Ken and his still driving, urging cars on, the crash and his death?
20. Shelby, the visit, the encounter with Peter, waving to Molly? His tears?
21. The photo at the end and the final information about the recognition of both Shelby and Miles?
