A Most Complete and Well Told Racing Strry

Rating: 9/10 (12 February 2020)

This is based upon a true story
In the 1960s, Ford wanted to merge with Farrari, but that didn't happen. Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts) to get some revenge on Farrari (whose cars dominate the La Mans race in France) now wants to build a race car to beat Farrari in the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race. Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) is contacted to build that race car. Shelby did win the LeMans race, but health reasons now keep him from racing. He is also a car designer. Shelby's best driver and racing engineer is Ken Miles (Christian Bale) and both he and Shelby build that car, a GT40 Mk 1 high performance racing car.
This is a very complete racing story, and probably one of the best ever. Of course, politics enter into this and Leo Beebe (Josh Lucas) the Head of Ford Racing wants his own drivers to do the racing and not Ken Miles who Beebe feels is not Ford quality material. Shelby has no choice in this until Ford loses some races and he confronts Henry Ford II and gets his way. Or so we think as that almost changes later on too, but Shelby makes a very high risk bet with Henry Ford II in order to get his way.
The first meeting scene with Carroll Shelby and Henry Ford II is pure gold. Listen carefully.
We see a lot of very fast racing and - to be honest - a lot of this racing rivals the racing in some of the Fast and Furious movies. Kudos. Keep in mind the editing is a very big part of any racing movie and the editing here is spot on. More Kudos.
We also see the introduction of the Ford Mustang in 1964. It really wasn't talked about or even mentioned, but Lee Iacocca was the person that put Ford in the minds of young drivers who were the sons of World War II vets and this went a long way improving sales to rival Chevrolet.
Notables: Catherine Baife as Mollie Miles, Ken Mile's wife; Noah Jupe as Peter Miles, son of Ken and Mollie; Ray McKinnon as Phil Remington, Shelby's Sales/ Auto Manager; Remo Girone as Enzo Farrari, Joe Bernthal as Lee Iacocca.
A very good scene is when Ken punches Shelby who is trying to apologize for not taking Ken to France the first time because Leo Beeble wanted his drivers and not Ken. After the punch Shelby counters and they go at it until they become so tired they just rest there fully exhausted. All this time Mollie was watching the fight and goes into the house and gets both a cold drink.
All in all a very enjoyable and complete racing story. The movie was nominated for Best Picture. It did receive the Oscar for Best Film Editing (told ya) and for Best Sound Editing.
Stay tuned at the end to see what happened to Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles. (9/10)
Violence: No.
Sex: No.
Nudity: No.
Humor: There are some good lines.
Language: Brief small stuff only.
Rating: A