Movies based on real events disappoint more often than not. The writers are sometimes too clever, and the fiction often ends up being less interesting than reality. On the other hand, movies that follow the historical details too pedantically end up with something that's just not very engaging. It's a fine line to tread, and Ford v Ferrari does so remarkably well.
Curiously, this movie is called Le Mans '66 in most of Europe, but Ford v Ferrari elsewhere. Quite an odd choice - I assume the marketing department decided people outside of Europe aren't likely to know about Le Mans, while Ford and Ferrari are global brands. I prefer the Le Mans '66 title, personally.
Ford v Ferrari's screenplay is great - it follows the very intriguing real events pretty closely. Indeed, reality is stranger than fiction. Of course, some details are missing, the characters have been dramatized, and some moments heightened - but crucially, it doesn't miss anything crucial about this remarkable story. I mean, this story has everything - it's pretty surprising it took them so long to make a film out of it.
Unlike Rush, Ford v Ferrari goes for a more realistic, mellow style. The kinetic, inventive camerawork of Rush makes way for a more objective, stable perspective. The same is reflected in the editing, going for a smoother, more coherent approach. Of course, both are equally valid, and the racing sequences of both films are equally well done. Of note here is the sound design - the GT40s sound absolutely marvelous. It's hyper-realistic - it's not quite authentic, but definitely captures the feeling with more... boom.
Christian Bale is fantastic as Ken Miles - terrific chemistry with Matt Damon's Shelby. The rest of the cast bring the goods too. A special mention for Tracy Letts, who captures the insecurities of Henry Ford II brilliantly. The titular 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans is given adequate focus, covering pretty much the last half of the movie. Now, this is where things get a bit subjective about that thin line I mentioned earlier. For fans of motorsport, or even casual observers, this is exactly what we wanted. The entire event is played out, with every important moment of the race given adequate attention. Of course, all of the dead space has been removed, so the entire race feels thrilling throughout. However, some of the nitty gritties of the event may be too much to take in for someone who has very little idea about motorsport, let alone Le Mans. In the end, it's the right choice.
As someone who is not a fan of many of these "based on real events" type movies, much less sports movies, Le Man '66... I mean, Ford v Ferrari, is one of the best. If you're even somewhat interested in automobiles or motorsport, it's a must watch. I'd also recommend Rush as a great double feature. Oh, and Senna, for something a bit different.
