Robin and I went to a movie theater last night with two close friends, both of whom are car-guys. We saw "Ferrari," an unconventional take on race-car owner Enzo Ferrari. The entire movie takes place within one year, 1957, when Enzo's life pivoted personally and professionally.
The film isn't what you expect. It's not about racing; in fact, it's barely about cars at all. The movie focuses on a man trapped in his masculinity, unable to process grief over the death of a son and stunted in his communication with the women in his life: an unsatisfied wife, a loving mistress, and a troublesome mother. In this respect the story reminds me a lot of Tony Soprano and his family plight.
Enzo focuses all his energy on saving a failing automobile company. It's a sublimated way of righting his sinking ship and making his life matter. Prospects for both the company and his personal life are uncertain; you can't predict what'll happen to either as events unfold. There are some scenes that will shock you viscerally.
The drama of the story is presented with skill. Dialogue is sparse and searing. Scenes are intense and actors' faces burn hot in frequent close-ups. Shot on location the film also creates a convincing mise en scène, so much so you feel like you time-travelled back to Italy in 1957. Black-and-white and color film are mixed to sharp effect.
This film will receive numerous awards after which it'll be re-released and introduced to a wider audience. Don't wait for that; go now on my recommendation.
Thank you for this movie review. It sounds like a great movie that brings more to the table than one could expect. One could say that car movies are trending now, but that doesn't mean that the subject is spent. I definitely see the potential in such stories. Especially if we talk about the birth of racing cars. It was a fascinating time when the technology was developing rapidly. As a head of a car company, you sort of had to jump on the wave not knowing what to expect. There were risks to be taken and men took them.
ReplyDeleteMy brother went to a Ferrari museum in Italy. He brought back a book about Ferrari that I've read more than once. I'm not exactly a car person, but I find the history of cars fascinating.
What a thoughtful response, friend. Thank you. I've visited many automobile museums and, you're right, they are interesting. What most people today miss is that back then (1900-1960) the future of transportation was not set or even known. Many different paths were open and possible. For example, many early cars were powered by electricity, not gasoline. Only when a man invented a gasoline additive to prevent "knocking" did gas win out. Electricity could easily have won instead -- and prevented most of the climate change we're now experiencing.
DeleteI think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that the first electric car was made in the last years of the 19th century. Those cars were being produced for quite some time. You're right. If electric cars won back then, the world could have been a different place. I'm not sure how truly green electric cars are now. I've heard claims that the batteries they use are quite 'dirty' to made so they are not an ideal solution yet. Not as bad as regular cards, but the materials used to make the batteries for electrical cars are quite toxic. Sometimes it feels like we just can't win. Maybe as a human kind we have a lot of things to unlearn.
DeleteEarly transportation was truly a pioneering experience. Men were breaking their legs, arms and legs right and left. Aviation and car industry were connected in many ways. Yes, it was an exciting time to live in. I think that's the reason why I like SF books from the fifties, sixties and seventies so much. They capture that feeling of 'everything is possible'.
You're right that today's EVs are imperfect. In addition to the batteries the electricity they run on has to be produced somewhere and it's not clean energy. We have better technology but it don't get used/promoted because of cost and who's in power. Yes, it was exciting to live in the early 20th Century when cars, planes and telephones opened many doors. Today everything is electronic and that limits invention.
DeleteThat Ferrari movie sounds very interesting. Thanks for the recommendation Ally! xxx
ReplyDeleteThis was Ann (Polyester Princess) by the way xxx
DeleteThanks, Ann. I can usually guess who commenters are even without signatures because I only have three of 'em (you, Sheila & Kezzie) who visit regularly. :)
DeleteAhem!
DeleteSuzanne
Sorry Suzanne! Didn't mean to slight you. I think of you as more of an occasional visitor here, not a regular like the other three. With them I put out drinks as soon as they walk in the door. :)
DeleteI enjoy "movies with cars" even though I don't drive - I'll see this one eventually. I really enjoyed "Ford Vs. Ferrari" which was better than I thought it would be. Happy New Year, Ally!
ReplyDelete"FvF" is an obvious comparison but the movies differ drastically in subject. Here, the focus isn't on cars or even a rivalry but instead one man's life and mind. Cars are incidental to that. Happy New Year to you, too.
DeleteAppreciate the review - I'll probably wait for it to come to streaming. Few things inspire me to face the masses at the theater these days. Doesn't help my "local theater" is attached to one of the largest tourist spots of the city.
ReplyDeleteBut I look forward to seeing it. Some biopic movies have turned out better than others. I try to give things a try before casting judgment. I've been surprised a few times. I enjoyed the Benedict Cumberbatch biopic of Louis Wain, for example. I knew the art but not much about the artist and I went to art school!
Biopics have become a well-worn genre with deep grooves that are boringly predictable. This film stands out as not falling into that trap. I understand, of course, the many good reasons to avoid movie theaters. I only visit them once or twice a year now.
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