Ferrari

by Mike McGranaghan

Michael Mann doesn’t make movies very often, so it’s always a cause for celebration when he does. The director of Manhunter and Heat hasn’t made a picture since 2015’s commercial and critical disappointment Blackhat. His latest, Ferrari, is a return to form. It’s not his best work, but it’s a well-crafted look at the man who made his name creating the sleekest, fastest race cars around.

That, of course, would be Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver). The story finds him having financial trouble, to the point where an adviser suggests he begin making “customer cars” to sell to the public. His professional problems are outweighed by personal ones. Wife/money manager Laura (Penelope Cruz) has grown to resent him following the death of their son. Meanwhile, he’s got a second, secret son with longtime lover Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley), who Laura knows nothing about - for a while, at least.

Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, Ferrari’s aim is to show the impact on its central character as he tries to keep the various aspects of his life from imploding on him at the same time. Anyone expecting the kind of fast-paced, race-heavy thrills of Ford vs. Ferrari may be disappointed. Intermittent racing scenes are exciting, there just aren’t a ton of them. The film is a slower paced character study more than anything.

Fortunately, Enzo Ferrari is a fascinating character. Expertly portrayed by Driver, the man has no hesitation about letting his drivers know that if they’re going to race for him, they need to be ready to die. One scene has him inferring that if a tactic could give them the lead but also potentially kill them, they’re to push for the lead. That same sort of demanding bluntness is there in his relationship with Laura, too. Rather than spouses, they’ve become business partners. His insistence that she handle money certain ways clashes with her desire to get well-earned compensation of some sort. Only with Lina does his guard come down to reveal a more sensitive side.

As Driver captures the single-mindedness of Ferrari, Cruz injects a fiery anger into the movie. Her Laura is understandably bitter, having been relegated to third place behind her husband’s cars and mistress. Scenes between the two are filled with tension. Woodley is also good, although her character is slightly underdeveloped compared to Enzo and Laura. Nevertheless, observing the interactions between the three characters makes for gripping drama.

Ferrari is a shrewd portrait of obsession. Enzo Ferrari has the financial means to indulge in his passion. The downside is that it causes him to lose perspective. When you focus on one thing, everything else around you suffers. Car buffs will absolutely appreciate the probing look at one of racing’s most important pioneers. Others will be sucked in by the visually rich, psychologically complex tale of a guy hell-bent on being the best in his field.

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