“Ferrari”: Michael Mann’s High-Octane Tale of Speed, Silence, and Sorrow

Michael Mann has been closely looking at characters battling turmoil his entire career! His 2023 film “Ferrari” details the flaws of a man who had lived his entire life to compete in one final race. As much as this movie portrays the vehicles, it shows a man who is impossible to satisfy. Michael Mann’s High-Octane Tale of Speed, Silence, and Sorrow is much more moody than exhilarating. 

Michael Mann’s High-Octane Tale of Speed, Silence, and Sorrow

Mann also created amazing movies such as “Heat” and “Collateral.” Heat stars Robert De Niro as a bank robber, and Al Pacino as the LA cop chasing him down. It became a pinnacle of showmanship due to its blue hues and amazing action scenes. Mann also was the brains behind the very successful “Miami Vice” series in the 1980s. 

The Raw Appeal of Hurtling Towards Disaster:

Mann has been a master of visuals before, and even made a film about big tobacco look awesome with “The Insider.” Adam Driver gives a very unique performance as Ferrari. He is regarded as a savior amongst the local working class. At church, the members have even compared him to Christ himself.

The constant pressure that Ferrari faces always results in an intense emotional barrier. Many viewers did not appreciate the fact that the plot revolved around Ferrari’s wife and mistress. Even though his spouse, played by Penelope Cruz, was there for him, he still strayed frequently. 

Is Everyone and Everything Really This Disposable For Ferrari?

As the movie unfolds in 1957, this iconic brand is staving off bankruptcy. Focusing on performance cars has cost them valuable market share. Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt keeps things in visceral motion and a hefty dose of intensity. 

Some critics felt that there are too many scenes that deal with financial peril. As opera music begins to play a unique part in the film, every character becomes dazzlingly stuck in the past. When the cameras are finally mounted on the cars, a very rich and somewhat nightmarish vision is the result. 

An Introspective Expression of Metal’s Surreal Properties:

This movie feels like a classical composition. Adam Driver can evoke a bit of the same very bad man that Tom Cruise’s performance in “Collateral” celebrated. As he hijacks Jamie Fox’s taxi, he goes on a spree to fulfill his hitman duties. “Collateral” did an amazing job of showing LA’s surreal glow amidst a predatory vibe. 

Since this is a director who not only loves but CREATES the thrill of the chase, the car scenes are very exciting! This is an individual who is so great at making the viewer unsettled while still allowing for an eye-popping luster. One of the most thrilling elements here is the constant emotion that the rug is always going to be pulled out, minus a true taste of sweet victory.

The Allure of The All-American Shootout:

As Phil Collins’ Iconic “In The Air Tonight” single played on Miami Vice back in the day, viewers knew it was way above par. It’s not just about looking slick, although the films are just that: “Ferrari” takes an up-close look at just how ferociously worldly passion can ruin relationships. While there is an air of show when the cars are on screen, the presentation loves the devil in the details.

High-Octane & Eagerly On-Point: What The Film Does Right:

This movie had a smashing presentation in the car department! The two main stars of the show were the Maserati 450S and the Ferrari 315 S. The Ferrari 801 Grand Prix car shown early in the film was real and looks fantastic. For some of the recreations, the crew took laser scans of the auto bodies and then had them reworked for visual screen clarity.

The racing scenes shot from overhead with helicopters are as exciting as any ever presented on the big screen. This crew quite obviously took a good deal of time attempting to capture the Italian countryside’s charm. The Ferrari team lived here for many months to make sure every last detail was true to life. Penelope Cruz does an excellent job of portraying a woman who has to live with a man seen as an unfaithful prince. 

Where Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” Doesn’t Quite Hit The Bullseye: 

This film’s premise is that if Ferrari cannot sell more mainstream models, its legacy will die. The Milla Miglia was the second round of the Sportscar World Championship, but it was not a real-life source of pressure. Enzo Ferrari had lost his firstborn son the year before, but the auto manufacturer was not in dire straits.

The final race was not wheel-to-wheel, and some of the cars were miles apart. This would make for much less on-screen excitement. Enzo also had more than one mistress, which won’t surprise anyone who knew he was an all-out charmer. 

Does THIS Critic Maintain Michael Mann’s 2023 Film A Sink or Swim?

I spent the early years of my career sitting in Discovery Channel and Fox TV broadcast rooms as a master control operator and editor! My cohorts and I had many deep discussions about Micheal Mann’s work, who had just done “Last of The Mohicans.” This film is actually NOT his best work. It’s amazing, but there are a few things ultimately lost in translation. 

The intensity is there, but this director had set a personal bar high with me. It’s a fantastic film, and still a B+ for him which is an A+ for “normies!” For any true auto fan, seeing these late 50’s classics in action is worth a look. The final scenes of the movie are both tragic and immersive. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or check out another article about a Ferrari getting trashed by Whistlin’ Diesel.