BUFFALO, N.Y. — A good sports movie has all kinds of stirring scenes of competition; exciting, even if you know how the competition will end.
A great sports movie has that, but moreover and more importantly, it tells a compelling story about the personalities involved with that competition in scenes that are as riveting as the action sequences. Ford v Ferrari is a great sports movie.
Ford v Ferrari tells the story of how the Ford Motor Company decided to do something no other American automotive manufacturer had ever done: win the 24 Hours of LeMans endurance road race. Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal, Widows, Baby Driver) approached the great car designer (and former LeMans winner) Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon, The Martian, Downsizing) with an invitation to confer, converse and otherwise hobnob with Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts, The Post, The Big Short)
As a result of that meeting, Shelby takes on the task of making Ford’s GT 40 Mk1 ready to compete in that race, and win. Shelby enlists the help of driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale, Hostiles, Vice), in spite of his temper and other, let’s call them “entertaining,” personality flaws.
So, they get to work, and they send the car to France to compete in the LeMans. Ford, in the person of Leo Bebee (Josh Lucas, J. Edgar, Stolen) wouldn’t let Miles behind the wheel. Ford lost.
Shelby convinces Ford to continue development on the GT 40 with an eye towards the 1966 LeMans. Even though they work out the car’s myriad problems, Shelby has to wager his company in order to secure Ford’s permission to use Miles as one of the team’s drivers.
Ford v Ferrari has an awful lot going for it, including an epic story and a wonderful cast. That cast, led by Damon and Bale, is a major part of what moves this film into the realm of greatness.
While this reviewer didn’t really buy Bernthal as Iacocca, Caitriona Balfe (Money Monster, Now You See Me) and the young Noah Jupe (Suburicon, A Quiet Place) both turn in some outstanding thespian work.
The fine acting aside, the race and driving scenes themselves are thrilling, but not overused. It is possible to make racing scenes dull. (Witness Bennett’s War from earlier this year.) That’s the opposite of what happens in Ford v. Ferrari.
One of the high-speed scenes shows Henry Ford II as a passenger in the GT 40 reduced to quivering tears after a high-speed demonstration ride. That scene is a highlight of the film. Another highlight is a fist fight between Shelby and Miles that, for this reviewer’s money, ranks as one of the most realistic fight scenes between two middle-aged guys in cinema history.
If you are a racing fan, if you are a car buff, if you are a student of automotive history, there is a lot of stuff to like in this film. It is a true story about the competition between two automotive titans. It is epic and exciting and races, pedal to the metal, to 5 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.
Ford v Ferrari was directed by James Mangold and stars Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, and Ray McKinnon. It's rated PG-13 for some language and peril and runs 152 minutes.
Another blast from the past is up on the big screen this weekend. Yeah, Charlie’s Angels has hit the theaters, again.
This iteration looks pretty flashy with all kinds of glitz and glamor, and Elizabeth Banks. After all, she’s largely responsible for this, having written it and directed it.
Charlie’s Angels is Rated PG-13 for action/violence, language and some suggestive material. The stars may be hot, but the film getting a lukewarm critical reception. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ll be seeing it this weekend.
But if you like films about empowered women, this is your weekend, as our next entry is The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
Back in the middle of the 19th century, East Indians threw off the yoke of the British East India Tea Company. Many of them were led by Rani Lakshmibai the Queen of Jhansi. This film tells that story in epic fashion. It’s Rated R for some violence. The critic-verse hasn’t weighed in on it yet.
But we’re not done with the strong women yet. The great Helen Mirren is gracing screens in Western New York this weekend.
The Good Liar apparently comes dressed as a caper flick and turns into, well, something else. In spite of the star power, critics are just saying “meh.” It’s Rated R for some strong violence, and for language and brief nudity.
So, we’ve got a little something for all tastes this weekend. I’m Larry Haneberg, and I’m taking you 2 The Movies.
RELATED: Review: A Weekend of Disappointment.
