Hearing engines softly hum, tires screech for mercy on racetrack pavement, and monsters vroom across turns has the ability to get hearts pumping, and in James Mangold’s newest film Ford v Ferrari, he does that and more. 

  Starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale as Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, the movie takes place in the 1960’s and ultimately culminates at the 24-hour Le Mans race in 1966. Throughout the film, Shelby and Miles are placed with the task of reasserting Ford as a dominant figure in the industry through building a race car and winning, all while juggling corporate agendas and personal demons. 

 Ford v Ferrari definitely meets the criteria for a steller racing movie. At times, the film can seem slow, especially if you are foaming at the mouth for the racing scenes, however, the wait is definitely worth it. The racing sequences are seamless, intricate, and comprehensible for rabid racing fans and the average viewer. The cinematic editing and sound mixing are top notch, hence why the film is nominated for multiple awards in both those categories. 

  On the surface, the movie may seem like a racing film, but the story goes well beyond that. In fact, the film really isn’t about Ford beating Ferrari, rather it tells the story of creators against corporations, and the personal obstacles they have to go through while desperately avoiding jumping through the hoops that those in power want them to go through. 

  The acting from Damon and Bale immensely adds to the story. Their portrayals are not only captivating, they are believable. Bale shows again his versatility in front of a camera by losing weight from Vice to play a slim Ken Miles. Even in the secondary characters, it is hard to find a fault. The performances from Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts), Leo Beede (Josh Lucas) , and Peter Miles (Noah Jupe) stuck out and added depth to the film. 

  Although the movie premiered on November 15, 2019, it is now back in theaters after its multiple Oscar nominations, the main one being for best picture. For any racing junkies or car connoisseurs, this should be on the top of your list for movies to see. It should also be up there for anyone looking for a sublime movie experience. The mix of heart-pounding racing scenes, smooth editing, and compelling story makes the film open to various viewers and hard to top.