Ford v Ferrari

The sound of the race cars in Ford v Ferrari should be billed third beneath Damon and Bale’s names. Shhhh, ignore the slightly jingoistic tones of American Exceptionalism and just listen to those engines rev.

As a kid who grew up with a father who raced cars, this movie captured the visceral thrill of being at the track. Moreover, the film brilliantly portrayed the sense of suspense that pervades serious races like Daytona and Le Mans, something that I think people who aren’t into cars might not understand otherwise.

Movies like this make me appreciate its actors, especially members of the ensemble. Caitriona Balfe is dynamic in a wonderful scene where her character pushes the limits of a Ford Country Squire, while Josh Lucas has never been so slimy.

Ford v. Ferrari could have been another by-the-numbers biopic but there is such a verve to the performances – the tenacity and grit between Damon and Bale’s characters stands out – in addition to the lovely roar of open throttles that elevate the film a step above the boilerplate tropes of the genre.

At the very least, this film shines a light on Ken Miles, one of the unsung heroes of racing, showing the viewer that the only way we can define ourselves is by finding our limits, and then pushing past them by another 1000 RPMs.