Ford vs. Ferrari - Revving up for a good time

American car culture is something that I have always admired but only enjoyed on an incredibly base level. I am not what some would call a "Gear-Head" when it comes to cars. To paraphrase a classic comedian, all I know about sports cars is that if they go "VROOM" they work, and if they go "BONK" they're broken. This is why of all the films in my mental list of "Sports-related Movies I like," only a handful of them are about car racing if car related at all. Therefore, I am delighted to report that a brand new entry has made my list. Ford vs. Ferrari is a fun, energized, heartfelt, and entertaining story about friendships, ambition, and the joy of craftsmanship. Not to mention exciting when the engines roar.

The story follows race car driver & designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), who is approached by the Ford Motor Company to design and build a car that can defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Shelby takes on the challenge and enlists the help of a man named Ken Miles (Christian Bale), a professional race car driver and master mechanic who is facing some troubling times and needs a break to support his family. Together, they make their way through corporate interference and political wish wash as they pursue their dream of crafting the best and fastest car possible. All the while, building up a meaningful friendship and reminding the audience that there is art in just about everything in life.

The film's best feature is its focus on the characters and their relationships to one another. Although the plot revolves around the design and construction of a new and powerful car, the story is more invested in the people who put their hearts into it all. Yes, there are a few shout-outs to the technology on display, and it does spend a lot of its runtime in the garage with lots of fancy cars, but they're all just props in service of the characters and their connections to each other. Not at all dissimilar to how The Social Network wasn't really about the founding of Facebook, but rather the relationships of the people. Regardless of historical accuracy to the events depicted, or lack thereof, the meat of the film is in the relationships between the characters. Making this a genuine human experience.

The cast is flat out remarkable. I have always been a massive fan of Matt Damon. In fact, I would say he is one of my heroes. His performance here is enhanced even further by his remarkable chemistry with Christian Bale, whom I am also a big fan of. Their dialogue, scene interactions, and characterizations make every second they are on screen together absolutely joyful to watch. Bale especially seems to be having the most amount of fun with his role. His depiction of Ken Miles is sympathetic, funny, engaging, and never delves into the stereotypical toxic masculine jerk typically seen in movies about race cars. From his very first scene onward, I loved this guy. At least, I loved the version of him, as depicted in the movie.

Director James Mangold, known for Logan, Kate & Leopold, and Cop Land, is a director I have come to enjoy a lot. His emphasis on character and story makes him on par with the likes of some of the all-time greats such as Frank Capra and Sidney Lumet. While I would not call every one of his films entirely great, I would say that he knows how to keep an audience engaged, even when the script doesn't.

I look forward to seeing his next project.

Regardless of how you feel about race car driving or cars in general, Ford vs. Ferrari is an absolute blast. It's entertaining, funny, has lots of heart, and tells a remarkable story that is, as I've said before, genuinely human. I will be rooting for this film at the Oscars.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.

Is it worth seeing in Theaters?
Yes.

Why?
It's a fun ride all the way through with witty writing, textured characters, and a satisfying narrative. The racing cars are a great bonus. Check this one out.

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.