A One Mann’s Movies review of “Le Mans ’66” (2019). (Alternative Name: “Ford v Ferrari”).
Bob the Movie Man’s Rating:
Certification:
US: PG-13. UK: 12.
Hang on… I’m going to gush.
When I was a kid getting into movies in the 60’s CARS were always a big attraction. Even though I wouldn’t remotely describe myself as a ‘petrol-head’ today (the childish antics of “Top Gear” leave me cold), as a kid it was the car chases and car stunts that most excited me. As I’ve probably said in this blog before, I dragged my poor saintly mother to more showings of the original “Italian Job” than seems plausible. Before that were the “Herbie” films, and afterwards I got to see more mature films like “Bullitt” that redefined the car chase in the movies.
Despite the love affair cinema has had with cars over the years, the sport of motor racing on film has been patchy. Too often the drama on the track has been deluged with melodrama off the track, as in John Frankenheimer‘s “Grand Prix” from 1966. While recent efforts such as Ron Howard‘s “Rush” have brought modern filming techniques to better convey the speed and excitement, it is Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans” from 1971 that had previously set the bar for realism in the sport. But even there, there were a few off-track love stories to interweave into the action.
I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest that “Le Mans ’66” is a strong contender for the motor racing high-water mark.
The “how long do you have” speech. (Source: Twentieth Century Fox).
Ford v Ferrari.
The film was marketed as “Ford v Ferrari” in the US. (What… do the American distributors think their film-goers are so stupid that if “Le” is in the title they will think it sub-titled foreign language??). But it’s a valid title, since the movie tells the true story of when Henry Ford… the second… (Tracy Letts) throws his toys out of the pram at Ford’s faltering progress. (“James Bond does not drive a Ford”. “That’s because he’s a degenerate!” snaps back Ford, which kind of typifies the problem”). Marketing man Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal) persuades retired hot-shot racer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to take Ford’s blank-cheque to build a car to win the Le Mans 24 hour race.
Shelby enlists maverick Brit racer Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help design and drive the next-generation machine. But neither had banked on the interference of the hoards of Ford suits, led by VP Leo Beebe (Josh Lucas). An explosion is imminent! And its not just from the over-heated brake pads!
Mister and Missus. Caitriona Balfe (from “Money Monster“) is very British to Bale’s “Midlandish” accent. (Source: Twentieth Century Fox).
A surprisingly linear story.
What’s really odd about this film is how linear the story is. While we get to see the family life of Miles (to add necessary context to what follows) these are merely minor diversions. There are no sub-plots or flashback scenes. It just relates the history from beginning to end, enlivened by some of the best and most exciting motor-racing footage put to celluloid.
At a bladder-testing 152 minutes, this really shouldn’t have worked. I should have got bored and restless. But I really didn’t.
In many ways – bladders aside – I think this will appeal in particular to an older breed of movie-goer. It’s a 100% ‘sit back in your seat and enjoy’ cinema treat.
As it was. The real-life Le Man’s 66 start. (Source: goodyear.eu).
Damon and Bale sparkle.
This is the first film Matt Damon and Christian Bale have made together, and I understand that Damon specifically signed on since he wanted to work with Bale. And there is palpable chemistry there. The movie includes one of the best ‘bad-fights’ since Colin Firth and Hugh Grant locked horns in the Bridget Jones films. And Damon – never one of the most expressive actors in the world – here really shines.
Celebrity power. Bale and Damon on the screen together for the first time. (Source: Twentieth Century Fox).
Bale also appears to be having a whale of a time. Not having to adopt a US accent suits him, as he blasts and swears his way through various UK-specific expletives that probably passed the US-censors by! He often tends to play characters in movies that are difficult to warm to, but here – although suitably spiky and irascible – the family man really shines through and you feel a real warmth for the guy.
There’s a strong supporting cast behind the leads, with Tracy Letts‘ fast-driving breakdown being a standout moment. I wonder how many takes they needed on that for Damon to keep a semi-straight face?! Also impressive as the son Peter Miles is Noah Jupe. If you’re wondering where the hell you’ve seen him before, he was young Marcus in “A Quiet Place” (and I note that “A Quiet Place: Part II” – wise I wonder? – is already in the can for a March 2020 release).
In a very testosterone-heavy film, Caitriona Balfe also resonates brilliantly as the long-suffering wife of Miles.
Shout out to the technicians.
Where the film comes alive is on the track, and a particular shout out should to to the technical teams. Cinematography is by Phedon Papamichael (“Walk the Line”), film editing is led by Andrew Buckland and Michael McCusker. And sound mixing – which to my ear was piston-valve perfect – is by Steven Morrow.
Also worthy of note is a kick-ass driving soundtrack by Marco Beltrami that genuinely excited. Grab an example of that on youtube here.
These categories are fearsomly hard to predict in awards season, but you might like to listen out for those names.
Fast friends. Ford v Ferrari v French circuit. (Source: Twentieth Century Fox).
Picking at faults?
If I was going to pick at any faults in the film, it would be that Ford exec Leo Beebe is painted a little too much as a “boo-hiss” pantomime villain in the piece. It could have been perhaps toned down 20% or so.
See it on the big screen!
James Mangold (“Logan“; “Walk the Line”) directs in style. From the rather po-faced trailer, you might think this is a “car movie that’s not for me”. But it really is a tremendously fun movie, with some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with edge-of-your-seat action and some heart-rending moments.
Above all, this is a film that really benefits from the wide-screen and sound-system that only a big cinema can provide. As such this goes on my “get out and see it” list without any hesitation! It’s going to make my movies of the year: and I’m off to see it again on Saturday!
Trailer:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aY0dW3hpRc .
Ok, Bob. Fiancé isn’t interested so on basis of your review I’d better go watch it on my own!!!!!! I’ll let you know.
WHAT!??? There’s one female in it!! I predict you’ll love it… Let me know!