Movie review: Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Also know as Le Mans '66 in Europe. Been a few months since I saw a movie but us French get a 3-days Easter weekend, so I mustered the time and energy to do something about it.

To start with: this is a good movie, even a tad better than what I thought a 2019 movie could achieve. The characters and their interactions are interesting, actor choice and performance is very good and the whole held me tight for most of its 2h30.

Expanding a bit on the actors:

• Christian Bale. Arguably the star of the show, once again demonstrating how versatile and committed to his performance he can be. And of course, the choice of Patrick Bateman for such an intense character/role couldn't go wrong.
• Matt Damon. Not the best actor in my opinion, obviously competent but a bit "one trick pony", often lacking in expressiveness and relying on a very few "faces". But nevertheless doing his job well.
• Tracy Letts & Remo Girone. Unknown to me, but playing their respective roles of Ford and Ferrari leaders to the perfection. Really brought that well-needed "boss you don't want to anger" aura.

Now for the cons. There are in my opinion two large ones but let me first explain where I'm coming from: my having seen Le Mans (1971) before and knowing personally what it's like to feel alive behind the wheel (I redline my MX-5 almost daily) really shapes my final sentiment.

First, it tried to interleave a pretty serious/grave subject with humour and human drama, much like the amazing The Right Stuff. I don't think it does so badly, but not as well either, this makes it feel a bit disjointed and not focused enough, at times.

And second, it screams modern movie in too many places, full of artistic compromise from risk-averse suits:

• Too much music mixed too high over the car sounds which in turn lacked in adrenaline-pumping harshness. The aforementioned Le Mans has a lot of segments without any music, just ear-piercing revving, which really help build atmosphere.
• Completely unnecessary Hollywood moments like "switch to character(s) reacting for a second by saying their teaser-worthy line" (e.g. the end of the first Willow Spring race, Ken's kid during the 24h), constant wisecracking behind the wheel (this isn't a Marvel movie, for God's sake) or the little tricks Shelby plays to annoy the Italian pit. It just cheapens, "blockbusterizes" the whole thing.

So, clearly not bad, but marred by Hollywood leaving its heavy-handed signature touch all over it. 7 because of that, I didn't have a bad time but it could have been so much better; movie enjoyers and petrolheads will be better served by the aforementioned Le Mans and this short Grand Tour segment (extract) by James May.