Ferrari (2023)

Interesting, Stylish Drama - Ferrari review by GI

No one quite stages action as stylishly and superbly as Michael Mann. The moments in this film are horrifically shocking and elicited a gasp from me as the suddenness and the realistic depiction of two race crashes occurred. Unlike Mann's crime films this fits into his biopic oeuvre that has included The Insider (1999) and Ali (2001) and consequently there is an element of needing to have some interest in the subject. Adam Driver completely absorbs the title role of Enzio Ferrari, the former race driver, famed car manufacturer and troubled businessman. Set in 1957 and Ferrari's passion for racing has pushed his business close to bankruptcy and he needs to lure investors and sell more production cars to rich clients. Unfortunately his embittered wife, Laura (Penélope Cruz), controls the assets and she is all spite and anger over Ferrari's womanising complicated even more when she discovers he has a hidden family with Lina (Sharlene Woodley - rather underused in a part with little to do). Ferrari's plan is to win a gruelling 1000 mile road race through Italy and he enters five cars. This race has some tragic consequences. As a drama there are times this film may well test patience and you can feel this is a passion piece for Mann. It's a film much focused on a complicated, selfish man who can casually justify death, his betrayal of his wife and the hiding of a son. Driver and Cruz are excellent throughout and for the most part the film is interesting and has Mann's unique use of facial close ups as well as his wide shots of horror and violence. The race scenes are visceral, gritty and exciting and when the horror comes it hits you like a hammer. Overall, this is a master filmmaker at work so its a must see, arguably not his best but certainly an award contender in many areas.

Flat tyres - Ferrari review by AER

Sorry this was a bit flat. I don't think I like Adam Driver as an actor. Most of the time he delivers really boring perfomances and this is another one, slightly compacted by a faintly ridiculous accent. Lines are mumbled too here - however I could hear most of the other performers just fine. Penelope Cruz was excellent but most of the time she was locked away in a parallel part of the film - interacting all too rarely with Enzo Ferrari (Driver). The rest of the supporting cast never really gets a look in: characterisation is as follows: Jack O'Connell as Peter Collins wears funny hats and has a realm of 'jolly hockey-sticks'-type expressions, and Patrick Dempsey's Piero Teruffi likes to smoke cigarettes. The life story itself is quite compelling but this one suffers from a miscast leading man and unclear plotting. I had the same problems with Michael Mann's Miami Vice film - muddy and mumbled. I loved Mann's films like Collateral, Ali, The Insider, Heat, and The Last of the Mohicans... Where is that guy I wonder>?

Flat tyres - 3.5 out of 10