FORD V FERRARI

Director: James Mangold

152, PG-13

Screenwriter: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller

Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Caitrione Balfe, Tracy Letts.

 

Two first-rate performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale as the colorful racing icons Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles are reason enough to see the new movie by James Mangold (Walk the Line, Logan).Reason number two? The outrageous kinetic energy of the races, filmed so that you feel yourself behind the wheel going 7,000 RPM at the famed Le Mans track. While Damon’s Shelby is hell-bent on a win while banned from racing because of a heart condition, Bale’s Miles is more of a laconic veteran, but their friendship is rock solid. It has to be, as they try to best the seemingly unbeatable Ferraris of the 1960s, while battling the interference of the “suits” at Ford. 92nd Academy Awards-Best Picture Nominee

“Think Iron Man and Captain America, only what’s at stake is not the fate of the universe, nor even an auto race, but the glorious, endless pursuit of perfection.” Matt Lickona, San Diego Reader.