Adam Driver shines as Enzo Ferrari in Mann's character-driven drama. Experience the passion, heartbreak and determination of the legendary race car designer.
Ferrari is based on a crucial episode in Enzo Ferrari’s life where his personal and professional life is at stake. Structurally similar to TV movies, this looks like a smaller-scale project from the great Michael Mann. Having said that, for what it is, the movie is very enjoyable and gives us a complete portrait of Enzo Ferrari as a man.
In the summer of 1957, Enzo is losing money and in need of an investor with liquidity to keep the organization afloat. Enzo Ferrari played by Adam Driver, is a race car driver at heart and his primary focus is racing than selling cars. As such, to make the company a viable investment for its prospective partners, the company must win the Millie Miglia competition. To make a deal, Enzo also has to convince his wife, Laura (Penelope Cruz) to forego her stake in the company to him. This is easier said than done since Enzo spends most of his time with his mistress Lina Lardi, played by Shailene Woodley (criminally underused like most actresses in Mann’s movies).
Enzo however, doesn’t want to spend his time thinking about the business aspect of his company. He wants to win races and engineer beautiful cars. The cars certainly look exquisite as they may be placed anywhere in the frame but they grab your attention. Laura, on the other hand, manages the finances of the company. She is also a fierce woman with a grudge as she’s troubled by her husband’s affair. Cruz, shedding her glamourous image, has given a beautifully tragic performance as Laura. Driver and Cruz’s scenes together are explosive for sure but they also express the care and affection the couple feel that naturally develops in any partnership based on respect and love.
But the fuel that drives Ferrari’s engine is Adam Driver (how can I not!?). Apart from being unrecognizable thanks to the wonderful hairstyle and make-up work, he moves and talks differently here. He has great energy and purpose about him. Enzo is a man who’s learned a long time ago that he can’t let emotions deter him. And that makes him seem dispassionate.
The other actors are mostly unknown. The ones I could recognise were Jack O’Connell and Patrick Dempsey (both play racers) but they barely had anything to do in the movie.
The movie is photographed exquisitely by Erik Messerschmidt (he won an Oscar for his work on Mank) who usually works with the great David Fincher. The cinematography during the racing sequences provides a thrilling experience in contrast to the quieter, darker photography during the rest of the movie. The writing is good too as the plot though predictable, is entertaining. The dialogues have a Mamet-like music and humour to them.
Ferrari has an excellent third act and a climax that stays with you for days. The only issue was the CGI which throughout the movie was effective but in a couple of shots near the end looked unreal and took away some of the impact. Ferrari lacks the fluidity and beauty that can be seen in most of Mann’s work. The movie can’t compete with the greater accomplishments of Michael Mann’s illustrious career, but on balance, it is a pretty good movie.