Director: James Mangold
Starring: Jon Bernthal, Matt Damon and Christian Bale
‘A Captivating Race Car Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have the ability to enthrall audiences like Jon Bernthal. Since his rise to fame during the 2000’s, Bernthal has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s race car drivers, Wall Street stockbrokers or bold police officers, Bernthal has played countless strong characters. Arguably, Bernthal’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong presence. He is one of those rare actors which has often had a larger-than-life presence that has elevated every movie. Bernthal has often had flair for stealing the show in supporting roles in movies. Even when he is given limited screen time, Bernthal has always left a strong impression. Through his ability to take risks in his career, Bernthal has become a celebrated actor that audiences value. An actor that has always shown a strong commitment toward his craft, Bernthal has become a beloved icon in the world of entertainment. Throughout a commemorated career, Bernthal has made several memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bernthal and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Ford v. Ferrari” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2016, James Mangold’s movie has stood the test of time as a racing car classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the finest race car movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance from Jon Bernthal, who portrayed an adored automobile executive that developed cars for Ford. Ultimately, what makes “Ford v. Ferrari” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of race cars driving to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of teamwork which will resonate with everyone. A captivating classic about race car driving, there are several strong reasons why “Ford vs. Ferrari” is a movie that is worth seeing.
Set in the 1960’s, “Ford vs. Ferrari” tells a true story of a car designer which faced tragedies. Matt Damon plays Carroll Shelby, a talented car designer with aptitude for creating strong automobiles. Shelby has always had a strong drive to create strong cars that conquer every single race which people embrace. Assisted by the talented British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), Shelby embarks on a journey to create strong cars moving at fast miles. Seeking to conquer the Le Mans race against Ferrari, the pair of passionate car designers embark on a journey to achieve victory. However, Shelby’s desire to achieve success are threatened by accidents causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Shelby begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to gain success in a tense competition which causes disaster.
James Mangold is a newcomer toward stories of race car drivers. Before he directed “Ford v. Ferrari”, Mangold had never made a race car movie before. Mangold was known for making musical biopics about iconic musicians. With “Ford v. Ferrari”, however, Mangold created his first race car movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of race car drivers seeking victory but he succeeds tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Mangold captures race car drivers seeking to achieve a victory. Mangold effectively uses montages to capture the tensions faced by race car drivers facing tragedy. For instance, montages elevate the automobile race scene. During this intense scene, Ken engages in a tense car race which involves a great amount of competition. One appreciates montages capturing hardship that race car drivers are facing. Montages are not easy techniques to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” claimed clearly, montages elevate movies about Wall Street stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through groundbreaking visuals, mangold captures tensions race car drivers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Ford v. Ferrari” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Inspired by Ron Howard’s “Rush”, Mangold stages thrilling race car sequences using immersive production. Mangold’s choice to use real-life cars for the race car scenes is risky but it pays off tremendously. Mangold’s decision to use real cars in race scenes adds a strong sense of authenticity to the movie. For instance, the real-life cars elevate the final Le Mans race scene. During this intense scene, Ken engages in his final race that involves a great amount of competition. One appreciates real race cars engaging in a competition that is frightening. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Marco Beltrami’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that race drivers bear. Through extraordinary production design, Mangold captures facing drivers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Ford v. Ferrari” is a film about racing that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture race car drivers which face tension. Mangold’s screenwriting strength is ability to capture race car drivers facing tensions by voice over narration. For instance, narration suits the opening scene. During this intense scene, Shelby expresses his worldviews on racing cars through narration. One admires narration capturing lives of racing car drivers facing tension. Through narration, Mangold creates a strong character which audiences can easily relate to. Voice over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, narration elevates prison films about redemption. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Mangold conveys race car drivers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jon Bernthal delivers one of his best career performances as Lee Iacocca. Bernthal first earned appreciation for playing reprehensible criminals in commemorated crime thrillers. With “Ford v. Ferrari”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the renowned studio executive of a legendary race car company but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and funny in his most iconic role. Bernthal has always excelled at playing emotional heroes that experience intense pressure, and “Ford v. Ferrari” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, intelligence and knowledge of an executive of a commemorated race car company. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Christian Bale is captivating as a racing car driver with strong determination to succeed rather than fail. Bale has always excelled at playing obsessive characters that pay great attention to detail, and “Ford v. Ferrari” found him showcasing his best strength as an actor. Whether he’s participating in a tense racing competition that’s frightening or seeking to cope with Ford salesmen engaging in bullying, Bale uses his strong body language to create a race car driver that’s compelling. It’s a strong performance from one of the most dedicated actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Matt Damon. As a passionate car designer, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Ford v. Ferrari” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing race car drivers that face tragedy. Unlike most movies about racing car drivers, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of determination, family and teamwork which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with race cars to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about value of teamwork which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Ford v. Ferrari” is one of those rare commemorated race movies which everyone will adore.
Fans of Jon Bernthal will definitely appreciate “Ford v. Ferrari” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating race car classic, it honours an actor which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 60 years after Ford’s dedicated car designers manufactured a groundbreaking car to battle Ferrari in a race that was frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 