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As an opinionated cinephile, I love to review movies. I began sending reviews to a few friends, but interest has grown over the years. Now you can find many of my reviews in one spot!

-Jay



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11/19/19

Ford v Ferrari

I don't know a caliper from a brake assembly, but I enjoyed this movie. We see Henry Ford II (called "Deuce" by his employees) fuming because that dinky little car manufacturer in Italy outstrips the gigantic car company that helped America win WWII!

We see a race car driver realize that his tricky heart won't allow him to race any more, so he turns to the design side of the sport. Then we see a race car driver realize that his tricky personality stands in the way of being accepted as a driver in a high-status automobile race in Europe. Corporate America wants a Ford-type driver driving a Ford.

Director James Mangold ("The Wolverine" and "Kate and Leopold"), working with a clever script by Jason Keller plus Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, bring us race-car driving up close and personal.

Part of his talented cast:
  • Matt Damon ("The Martian") Carroll Shelby has the smarts and the experience to create winning race cars. He also has the loyalty of a friend and the patriotism of an American. Watch him put his money on the line!
  • Christian Bale ("The Big Short") Ken Miles is incredulous when his long-time friend Carroll Shelby says he plans to build a Ford to beat a Ferrari. By the way, he views car engines as living things, so he talks to them.
  • Catriona Balfe ("Outlander") Watch Mollie Miles when her husband and his friend have a knock-down, drag-out fist fight in her front yard.
  • Noah Jupe ("A Quiet Place") When Peter Miles' dad describes the racetrack at Le Mans, we in the audience are educated. Good device!
  • Jon Bernthal ("The Peanut Butter Falcon") When Lee Iacocca takes up the challenge to develop the Ford Mustang, history is being made.
  • Tracy Letts ("The Post") Henry Ford II is determined to show Ferrari that his cars will no longer be looked down on, but Deuce has never ridden in a race car.
  • Josh Lucas ("Sweet Home Alabama") Leo Beebe is just smarmy enough to illustrate the worst of the corporate "suits" who make life miserable for race car lovers.
Expect no sweaty bodies, drugs, alcohol or blowie uppie stuff but a LOT of vehicular mayhem. Despite all the motor oil, fumes and racket, this PG-13 script is easy to follow and the issues are clearly defined. One thing: If you have hearing problems, closed captions are a MUST!

These are real people, so stay for the closing credits where you will be treated to the rest of their stories.
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Start your engines:
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