Movie Review: Ferrari (2023)

Genre: Biographical Drama  

Director: Michael Mann  

Starring: Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Gadon  

Running Time: 130 minutes  

Synopsis: It's 1957, and Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) is struggling to maintain control of the company he founded with his wife Laura (Penelope Cruz) after the Second World War. Still grieving the recent death of his son, Enzo is facing financial difficulties and an on-track challenge from Maserati, all while juggling Laura with his long-term secret lover Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley). He hires driver Alfonso de Portago (Gabriel Leone) in preparation for the Mille Miglia, a grueling endurance race that may represent Ferrari's last chance to attract investment.

What Works Well: This biography focuses on one year in the life of a legendary sports car tycoon, and Troy Kennedy Martin's script succeeds in revealing some depth to Enzo's character. An otherwise stoic Adam Driver mines the foundation of Ferrari's emotionless reaction to death (he lost two friends on the same weekend in his racing days), and in perhaps the best scene, expounds on his ruthless competitive philosophy. The final quarter is dominated by racing action, and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt excels in conveying the raw speed of a dangerous event through scenic Italian locations.

What Does Not Work As Well:  A large back-end investment in the Mille Miglia is not supported by sufficient introductions, unbalancing narrative foundations. Director Michael Mann collects several previously incidental racing drivers and unleashes them in identical looking machines. Suddenly thrust into the centre of attention, the drivers remain indistinguishable in their driver's seats, while the race format is never explained. Elsewhere, various plot threads are left dangling, neither Ferrari's search for investment nor his complex relationships with Laura and Lina arriving at satisfactory resolutions, despite the lengthy running time.

Conclusion: Demonstrates good speed, but sputters on the way to the finish line.



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