American car designer Caroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) are tasked with creating a revolutionary race car for Ford to challenge the kingpin Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. The most disappointing part about “Ford v Ferrari” is that I didn’t see it in IMAX. The sound design and sound mixing during the races makes this a huge contender for both categories at the Oscars because the cars and racing sound so realistic. I watched this at a theatre with decent speakers and it sounded like I was in the audience. I feel like if this was in IMAX, it’d feel like we were in the car.
Regardless of that, I still believed I was in the car with Ken Miles a lot of the time through all the ups and downs, especially when Miles and Shelby deal with corporate interference by Ford. This is in the form of Jon Bernthal’s Lee Iacocca and Josh Lucas’ Leo Beebe. Bernthal’s character seems reasonable and is on Shelby’s side some of the time. Beebe, on the other hand, feels like the film’s biggest “movie magic” character in terms of fiction over fact. He’s detestable as he objects to Ken Miles as their driver because of his non-Ford image. Now, this isn’t particularly stated and it’s just me speculating, but I’m curious if it’s just because Ken is British and Beebe wants an American driver representing a very American company. That’s never explored but it could explain it.
The more obvious explanation is that Ken isn’t the easiest person to get along with, so that’s probably it. They don’t get along from the start and Josh Lucas is very good at playing sleazy and that’s no different here. The conflict his character creates is interesting as Shelby and Miles try to get out of it, and it’s fascinating as it strengthens their bond, as well, and makes them stick up for each other. The huge conflict of course is building a fast enough car that could defeat Ferrari, who at the time was on a coveted throne of racing.
Remember, Ford was great at factory production of cars and Ferrari had less cars, but they were more pristine at the time in terms of reputation. Ford trying to make a sports car was unprecedented as they try to break new ground, and it’s awesome to watch them change their perspective on cars and do something different. The problem-solving throughout the film is great to watch; and the mechanical aspects of the film and creating the cars is likely more interesting for gear heads and car junkies, just in the way that you might understand everything they’re talking about. It’s still easily accessible for those who don’t know much about cars — if anyone asked me what the car looks like I’ll just say the colour — and it’s still interesting thanks to the razor-sharp dialogue in the screenplay by writing team Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (whose co-credits include “Edge of Tomorrow” and “Get On Up”) and Jason Keller.
And man, the performances are pristine. Matt Damon is great as Caroll Shelby as he fights for what he believes in and heads this project for racing glory. Damon plays the leader well and he’s a memorable character, but what makes his character even better is just the chemistry he and Christian Bale create together and all the great scenes between them. It feels like they’ve been friends for life. Miles is the more interesting character because he’s so unpredictable while always being himself, and Bale plays it so well. There are also defining character moments when he decides to not be Ken Miles just for a moment — that is very interesting.
It’s thrilling watching him in the car as he just looks like he’s home, like he’s been racing cars all his life, too. Caitriona Balfe is very strong as Ken’s wife Mollie. Balfe has had some credits where I would’ve seen her before (“Now You See Me,” “Escape Plan,” “Money Monster”) but this seems like the first time she’s received a substantial role and she shines in it. Her worry because of Ken’s dangerous profession feels very believable throughout, and scenes where she and their son Peter (Noah Jupe) watch their dad racing feel just as important as the race itself. Jupe (“A Quiet Place“) is also really good here as his characters shares his dad’s passion for cars.
Tracy Letts is also good as Henry Ford II as his company is venturing into new territory. He has one of the funniest moments of the year in this film, one that turns from laugh-out-loud funny to something very human. “Ford v Ferrari” has its fair share of hilarious moments, too, just thanks to the scenarios and character interactions that all feel organic to the story. Every character feels realistic and the film’s better for it.
James Mangold handles every genre of the film expertly with his direction. He handles the dramatic scenes just as well as the action scenes, often inserting action into the drama, especially in one standout car scene outside of the racetrack. The dramatic scenes can also be heartbreaking and the humanity captured here is strong. The racing scenes have some of my favourite action moments here as every scene is just thrilling. They’re immersive and it’s joyous to watch Ken Miles drive because it really looks like it’s when he’s most alive — and it’s fascinating that he can know so much about a car just by the feel of it. The impressive thing about the screenplay, too, is that the film clocks in at 152 minutes but it rarely drags. They’re racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so of course it’s going to be long.
The highs and lows of the film are amazing and this is my favourite sports film of the year, and one of my favourites of the year in general. It’s not a traditional sports movie, but I would classify it as one just because it’s so inspiring and the competition is so exciting. It has also has two key races where both have high stakes and feel rewarding in some way. They’re both great sports moments — as “Ford v Ferrari” highlights a sports story best experienced if you know little about it. I watched it knowing nothing about the real-life characters, but I’m sure it’s just as electric on-screen if you know about the Ken Miles/Caroll Shelby story.
