No matter how many films I see, there always seems to be a few big blockbusters that I just don’t seem to catch on the big screen. Ford Vs Ferrari was one such film, and despite it taking the top spot on a lot of people’s favourite films of 2019 it still took a couple of years before I finally got around to watching it. And I’ll be honest, it was worth the wait.
Whilst not particularly well known for their speed or sexy style nowadays, Ford are a well known and trusted car brand. In fact, two of the three cars I’ve owned since passing my driving test, a slightly depressing number of years ago, have been Fords. But back in the mid-1960’s, the Ford Motor Company were lacking in commercial success and in dire financial trouble under the leadership of Henry Ford II.
New ideas are needed, and one such idea comes from young hotshot executive Lee Iacocca – buy out the struggling Italian car giant Ferrari. Unfortunately, the company’s president Enzo Ferrari rejects the deal and sends Iacocca back to America with some choice insults for his competitor. Although Ford’s pride may be bruised, his ego is far from admonished and he vows to beat Ferrari at one of the biggest races in the motorsport calendar – Le Mans.
Ford Motor Company approach Carroll Shelby, the only American to have won the demanding 24-hour race, to head up their racing division and develop a car capable of outracing the goliath of the racing circuits. Shelby brings in the “brilliant but difficult” English driver and mechanic, Ken Miles to join his team. Unfortunately Miles’ unpredictable and uncouth personality doesn’t really fit with Ford’s image and he is sidelined by the company’s Vice President, Leo Bebee. This film is as much about the battle of wills between Bebee and Miles as it is about Ford Vs Ferrari.
As someone who isn’t remotely interested in motor-sports or Formula One, I can safely say that you don’t need to enjoy racing to enjoy this film. At a little over two and a half hours, the film could run the risk of being a little too long but the snappy editing, on point shot selection and high-velocity pacing makes it speed along quite nicely. Puns intended.
But Ford Vs Ferrari is more than a film about racing, it is about the people behind the story and the real driving force (sorry, not sorry) behind the film’s success is the stellar acting from a first rate cast. Christian Bale is his usual fantastic self, embodying the foul-mouthed grease-monkey that was Ken Miles with the same level of vigor and tenacity that he does all his roles. The loud and boorish persona of Miles works in harmony with Matt Damon’s solid portrayal of Carroll Shelby, who is just as passionate about their venture but with a firmer grasp on how to ‘play the game’. Together, the two actors are thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
The effectiveness of the cinematic technique and the strength of the central partnership is bolstered by the supporting cast. It’s Henry Ford II’s insecurity that pushes the plot forward and Tracy Letts, a powerful and imposing figure on screen, plays him to great effect. Josh Lucas seems to relish his role as Leo Beebe, the straight laced company man and villain of the piece. Add to that some limited, but impactful, performances from the likes of Jon Bernthal as idea man Lee Iacocca, Ray McKinnon as Shelby’s head engineer Phil Remington and Caitriona Balfe’s refreshing turn as Miles’ wife Mollie and you’ve got one hell of a film.
