Year: 2019
Director: James Mangold
Country: US
Language: English
Ford V. Ferrari is a film that seems terrible miscast; mainly with the role of Ken Miles going to Christian Bale rather than Matthew McConaughey. Regardless of what happens to the character, Bale smiles like he's auditioning for the role of Lenny in Of Mice and Men. Hired for the biggest race of his life? Smiling. Fired from the biggest race of his life? Smiling. Hired back after being fired from the biggest race of his life? Smiling. Is this character meant to be an idiot?
Ford Motor Company is determined to beat their bankrupt competition, Ferrari, at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1966. Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts) hires car manufacturer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to achieve this corporate goal.
Ford V. Ferrari tries to be a critique of corporate interest, but comes off as a film about American exceptionalism. Ford is the patriotic face of the show, while the foreign villain is the Italian Ferrari. There are some scenes where Shelby & Miles appear to be at odds with the almighty Ford, but each time they tow company line. Ford II wants Miles fired? Ok, he's fired. Ford II wants Miles rehired? Ok, he's back. Ford II wants Miles to slow down? Ok, he'll slow down.
Much of the film is essentially just a higher budget Nascar broadcast. See cars go fast for two hours. Wow! What a concept! The exceptional cinematography gives the viewer some impressive views of...the outside of the car, the inside of the car, the side of the car and the crowds of people who are gawking at the cars. Ford V. Ferrari is the perfect picture for the braindead Southern hick.
Ultimately it's a forgettable picture that represents the most boring of what 2019 has to offer. I struggled to get by this movie, even though I do enjoy most of the actors who are in it. James Mangold is a fairly decent director who should have been given better material to work with.
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