a great showing with moments of pure thrill

Rating: Null/10 (13 May 2020)

Supercharged sports drama based on the true story of retired American racer-turned-entrepreneur Carroll Shelby and fearless, confrontational British driver and mechanic Ken Miles who are employed by Henry Ford II and tasked with "going to war" against auto magnate Enzo Ferrari, who in the 1960s refuses to concede his position as the dominant manufacturer with the 24 Hours of Le Mans fast approaching. Fittingly, the relationship between Shelby and Miles escalates through a series of masterfully shot, white-knuckled racing scenes. With the duo of Damon and Bale you get fire and ice, and director Mangold's staging of the high-octane competition is remarkably good, but this is also a very personal story that explores the behind-the-scenes world of motorsports in ways you wouldn't quite expect. The length of the picture makes it hard to maintain a consistent level of adrenaline-pumping excitement, but it's quite a ride nonetheless, and as an added bonus gives the talented Damon another opportunity to employ a Texas drawl, and the inimitable Bale to once again be transformative onscreen. ***