Here’s my “Quick and Dirty Review” of “Ford v. ferrari.”
Beautiful, well-made, harrowing. My second racing movie in as many days ("The Art of Racing in the Rain") delves into Ford's attempts to compete on the international racing circuit by "buying" in and hiring only the best. Of course, in standard corporate fashion, they can't just let the people do their jobs, but must constantly "manage" and meddle to "protect their investment."
The film does a great job of depicting the trials and tribulations leading up to the 1966 racing season, and Matt Damon and Christian Bale are in top form here, making a strong film out what could be, with other actors, a standard racing picture. Bale's acting is enhanced by his rail-thin physique. It's truly amazing that he lost over 70 pounds to do this picture, coming off of "Vice," where he gained considerable weight to play Dick Cheney. When asked how he lost the weight, he said he "just stopped eating." You have to admire his commitment. 8 out of 10.
