“FORD V FERRARI” — 31⁄2 stars — Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Tracy Letts, Rimo Girone; PG-13 (language and peril); in general release; running time: 132 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — “Ford v Ferrari” stakes out a character drama in a world of beautiful fast cars, and it’s a real gift to anyone who has ever found joy behind the wheel of an automobile.
James Mangold’s film tells the story of the historic 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which pitted one of America’s “Big Three” automakers against the brilliant red Italian mainstay.
The gears start moving in the early 1960s, when an up-and-coming executive at the Ford Motor Company named Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal) tries to convince his boss — Henry Ford Jr., aka “The Deuce” (Tracy Letts) — that the classic nameplate could use a branding facelift.
The solution? Win a few races on the international circuit, and watch the winning legacy turn into domestic auto sales.
The first version of the plan fails spectacularly: Iacocca leads a team that attempts to purchase Ferrari from its legendary namesake, Enzo (Rimo Girone), only to get sent back with his tail between his axles. The next plan is more of a long shot: If you can’t buy ’em, beat ’em.
So Iacocca and Co. turn to Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), one of the few Americans to ever win the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans race — an annual excruciating event that features more than its fair share of dramatic crashes. Shelby is a retired driver and working more magic under the hood than behind the wheel. But he’s been partnering with a volatile driver named Ken Miles (Christian Bale), who might be able to take on the perennial Italian juggernaut.
Toggling between intense race sequences and compelling behind-the-scenes showdowns, “Ford v Ferrari” traces the events that lead to the legendary 1966 race. We see the development of Ford’s celebrated GT40 car, and get behind the wheel for plenty of races. But even though the film’s title suggests a battle between two carmakers, the real battle is between Carroll’s racing team and the Ford executives — particularly a public relations man named Leo Beebe (Josh Lucas), who wants the live wire Miles off the project.
The final product is an easy sell for any self-proclaimed motorhead in the audience, who will no doubt recognize all the well-known names like Shelby, Iacocca and, of course, Ford and Ferrari. Utah audiences who have spent time admiring the Larry H. Miller museum’s collection of sports cars will also see a few familiar fenders.
But you don’t have to be a car nut or a “Top Gear” devotee to enjoy Mangold’s tapestry of drama and action, which benefits from rock solid performances across the cast sheet. Damon and Bale really shine as the protagonist tandem dedicated to succeeding in a lethal field, and the human element they add to the film emotes a classic can-do message.
The actual races, of course, are a thrill to watch, and you might want to double-check for any lead feet on your ride home from the theater. The 152-minute run time is a bit heavier than your usual feature, but you don’t really feel it in the moment.
If you love cars, you’ll love “Ford v Ferrari.” If you don’t love cars, you’ll still appreciate the big heart beating under its hood.
Rating explained: “Ford v Ferrari” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of race action, some elements of violence (involving crashes and fisticuffs) and some profanity (including a single use of the F-word).