2023 has been a return to the big screen for many old masters. The latest of these is Ferrari, the latest feature film from one of the most important directors of the last 40 years, Michael Mann. Ferrari documents a snippet of the life of Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) after the death of his son Dino. The Ferrari company has been struggling due to lackluster racing and needing to sell more sportscars to finance the expensive racecars they need to produce. This, paired with turmoil throughout Enzo’s personal life as he juggles running Ferrari with his wife Laura Ferrari (Penélope Cruz) and being there for his other son Piero (Giuseppe Festinese) whom he had with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley). Most of the film takes place in 1957 which is a wonderful choice from Mann. In many biopics taking on an entire life and fitting it into 2 or 3 hours is a tall task and rarely does the film or the subject justice.
Adam Driver is incredible in every frame that he occupies. His physical presence dominates the screen and commands attention throughout the two hours. He is always moving throughout the film, into different rooms or cars, which further accentuates his height and presents him as an intimidating figure. His Italian accent is quite good, and Michael Mann’s dialogue allows him to shine. In one scene in particular in which Enzo is speaking to his drivers before the Mille Miglia, Driver delivers a perfect speech highlighting racing as their shared “terrible joy”. A truly spine-tingling scene and Driver’s best performance since Marriage Story (2019). Penélope Cruz is equally great, she goes toe to toe with Driver in each scene they appear in together. Cruz excels at displaying the pain of a mother grieving her son, while coping with the news that her husband and business partner has another kid with a different woman. One of Cruz’s best to date and the movie would not work without her as Laura Ferrari. One of the film’s major flaws is the casting of Shailene Woodley as Laura Lardi. Her Italian accent is quite poor and oftentimes her presence is distracting and feels out of place. Not entirely Woodley’s fault as she is grossly miscast and a choice that could have been rethought.
If this is the final film from Michael Mann, it would be a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career. Ferrari is his best movie in two decades and a wonderful late-period feature from Mann. Ferrari seems autobiographical in a sense as it portrays someone so dedicated to their craft that it causes them to ignore those close to them, as well as push those to their breaking point. Mann is famously a difficult director to work with as he wants every single take in his films to be perfect, which is why his movies are so beautiful and enrapturing. Death follows Enzo Ferrari throughout the film, whether it is his racers, or his son, or even his marriage. This could be the case for Mann’s career as he is turning 81 in February. He has publicly expressed his desire to make a sequel/prequel to his 1995 classic Heat. But if that does not come to fruition then Ferrari ends his career on a high note.
Ferrari is firmly one of the best 15 (10?) movies of 2023. In an exceedingly great movie year, Michael Mann has once again inserted himself into the end-of-year conversation. Ferrari is one of the most entertaining, heartbreaking, and visceral movies that debuted this year. It surpassed all expectations and will be infinitely rewatchable. A fantastic, fast-paced picture that will be inducted into the canon of Michael Mann.
4/5 Stars
“Ferrari” appears to be a captivating cinematic experience, blending speed, sorrow, and spectacle in the life of Enzo Ferrari. The review highlights Adam Driver’s exceptional performance, Penélope Cruz’s emotional depth, and Michael Mann’s directorial prowess. Despite a casting critique, the film is praised as a potential high note in Mann’s illustrious career. Excitingly, it positions itself among the best films of 2023, offering a compelling mix of entertainment and poignancy.