Ford v Ferrari

The Plot

The movie is set in the mid-1960s and revolves around the rivalry between two giants of the automobile industry: Ford and Ferrari. Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts) is determined to make Ford a dominant force in motorsports, and he enlists the help of former Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to build a race car that can beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most prestigious endurance race in the world. Shelby, in turn, brings on board his friend and expert driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help him build and test the car.

The rest of the movie follows the development of the Ford GT40 and the challenges that Shelby and Miles face in their quest to beat Ferrari. Along the way, they face opposition from within Ford, especially from Leo Beebe (Josh Lucas), the company’s marketing executive, who is more concerned with image and politics than winning races.

The Cast and Acting

The cast of Ford v Ferrari is led by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, who deliver outstanding performances as Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, respectively. Damon is convincing as the charming, smooth-talking Shelby, who is also a masterful engineer and businessman. Bale, on the other hand, brings his trademark intensity and authenticity to the role of Miles, a hot-headed but brilliant driver who refuses to compromise his values.

The supporting cast is also impressive, with notable performances from Tracy Letts as the imposing Henry Ford II, Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca, Ford’s young and ambitious executive, and Caitriona Balfe as Miles’ supportive wife, Mollie. Josh Lucas, as the conniving Leo Beebe, is suitably detestable and provides a convincing foil to Shelby and Miles.

Direction and Cinematography

James Mangold, who previously directed movies like Walk the Line and Logan, does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. The pacing of the movie is perfect, with the right balance of action, drama, and humor. The racing scenes are thrilling and well-choreographed, and the cinematography by Phedon Papamichael is stunning, capturing the speed and danger of the races.

Soundtrack and Editing

The movie’s soundtrack, composed by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, is excellent and complements the action on screen perfectly. The editing by Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland is also top-notch, seamlessly blending the racing scenes with the rest of the movie.

Historical Accuracy

While the movie takes some liberties with the actual events that took place during the development of the Ford GT40, it stays true to the spirit of the story and the characters involved. The movie also captures the essence of the era, with its period-accurate costumes, sets, and cars.

Critical and Commercial Reception

Ford v Ferrari was a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its performances, direction, and racing scenes. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won two for Best Sound