Ford Vs Ferrari

Ten Second Review: Well made enough that you might forgive its rougher edges, decent performances make this an enjoyable flick that gains a little something from the big screen treatment.

I’ve been excited to this film for a few months, which can be both of benefit and dangerous to your final thoughts. I turned up to a secret screening and as the film title popped up simultaneous sounds of “ooooh” and “yesss” hissed through the audience. It seems I haven’t been alone in my intrigue about it. The lights dimmed, the 12A warning makes us aware that the film contains mild threat (no doubt the fault of crashes and 150 mph corners) and the audience fell quiet.

Recanting an ever so slightly fictionalised account of Ford’s attempt to “go to war” with Ferrari, the film focuses on two discernibly un-Ford-like men; Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (Christian Bale). A driver turned mechanic and a mechanic turned driver, no two men could be more prepared to put it all down on the tarmac to leave a legacy behind them. 

First things first, there are some choices in this film that really can’t be ignored. Some accents were hammy far past the point of distracting and some of the script writing only served to emphasise that. The music was also (at points) particularly uninspired and rather trite. It felt like someone wanted to put their idea of Britishness and their fav tracks in a film even if it didn’t serve the film well.

That being said, this film is fun. It won’t past the Bechdel test and it is essentially a dick measuring contest played out over a couple hours, but damned if it won’t entertain people. A thrill ride at some points, with plenty of laughs for levity, the film makes good use of its central cast. 

The forgone conclusion, that is clear early on whether you know the story or not, almost takes the pressure off the film in a weird way. By knowing where you’re going you can relax in as the pedal is put down and you speed toward a big finish in a well paced fashion.

Best film of the year? No. A good bit of weekday fun? Yeah, sure. It’s quite well made, entertaining to watch and it’s worse parts can be forgiven in exchange for good pacing and some pretty enjoyable heights.