323. Ferrari; movie review

 

FERRARI

Cert 15

130 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong injury detail, language, brief sex

My favourite movie of 2019 was Ford vs Ferrari, an epic story starring the brilliant Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

Four years later, this latest Ferrari film nearly followed it to the top of the podium.

This is another picture about motor racing that had me spellbound, even though I am not a regular fan of the sport.

Much of my pleasure was derived from performances - the acting version of elite Formula One.

Michael Mann's movie is set in 1957 - a tumultuous year for Enzo Ferrari and the company that he founded.

Enzo is played with great style by Adam Driver, also a tall man who carries off slicked-back grey hair, high trousers with braces and sunglasses with panache.

I have read that Driver's Enzo is not as rude and boorish as the man himself. Instead, he portrays him as impatient and ambitious but also conflicted in his private life.

He is still loyal to his wife (Penelope Cruz) because she helped form the company and runs the books. Their only son passed away a year previously, and his death is still raw.

However, he has a mistress (Shailene Woodley) and a son (Giuseppe Festines), about whom everyone seems to know except his tempestuous wife (she fires a gun towards him when he doesn't show up for breakfast).

Push is coming to shove, and Enzo is facing a complex decision over sticking with the wife with his business interests at heart or the mistress he loves.

Meanwhile, his business empire is in a precarious financial state as it is not selling enough road cars to prop up his racing team.

Thus, victory in the famous Mille Miglia, a thousand-mile race around the streets of Italy, becomes essential.

However, this is very dangerous, and the drivers know their lives are on the line.

Indeed, the movie reflects that death was an occupational hazard to drivers long before the safety measures that were introduced over recent decades.

Nevertheless, even the aloof Ferrari was not prepared for what was about to happen.

As said, Mann's movie is a cracker, superbly recreating the atmosphere of the time and giving it a wonderful Italian charisma despite its non-Italian cast.

I can give no better recommendation than saying it felt like we were there.

Reasons to watch: Driver and Cruz are sensational

Reasons to avoid: Upsetting scene

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9.5/10

Did you know? Count Francesco Baracca, a decorated pilot, died in WWI and Enzo asked the pilot’s mother if he could use the horse symbol—which her son used on his planes—on Ferrari cars.

The final word. Michael Mann: "To me, Enzo was a giant representational picture of something profoundly human. He’s bound to Laura; he’s repelled by Laura. How do these oppositions end in most of our lives? " Vulture

Lokasi:

Berbagi :