Ford vs Ferrari

Ford vs Ferrari                                                                                                                 June 22, 2020

I do not know why I missed this movie on video on demand, my loss. This is a terrific movie based on true events. The characters are strong and dynamic and their interactions/conflicts  drive the movie. Ford vs Ferrari refers to the competition  between these two motor giants at La Mans. Ferrari being the powerhouse and Ford the upstart. Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, is the chief designer for the Ford racer. Christian Bale is Ken Miles the brilliant but mercurial driver.  Bale is fantastic in the role. He literally morphs into the character incorporating the accent, facial expressions, and explosive personality. His weight loss here is reminiscent of his role in the “Machinist” but not as extreme.

This is an ensemble performance with all  actors  making compelling contributions. Matt Damon is the legendary Carroll Shelby, driver and auto designer (e.g. Shelby Mustang). He plays Shelby in an understated and controlled manner but with passion. When pushed he is capable of  punching  Miles in the face or telling the Ford execs to go pound sand. They are two opinionated great friends. The Ford execs do not come off  well (except for Lee Iacocca). Henry Ford II comes off like a jerk, and this was confirmed by Wikipedia. The Ford executives want to win La Mans, which  frames the movie.

Ken’s wife is played by Caitriona Balfe gives a strong and touching performance. She plays the supportive wife but under her calmness she knows a wrong turn could be fatal at any time. Their son gives a tender performance and humanizes Ken Miles.

Those who know me, know that  my Italian is slightly limited. But you do not have to be a polyglot to read the expression on Enzo Ferrari’s face when he reacts to the insulting offer Ford made for his company. The Italians come off just a bit elitist.

The racing scenes are intense and a big part of the narrative. The camera work is impressive given the high speeds and  the demanding course. There must have been an army of drivers.

As they say, better late than never.

The King of Staten Island

The King of Staten Island                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    June 16, 2020

This is not a funny movie. It is a semi-autobiographical story about Pete Davidson. His father died at 9 11 and much of the film deals with painful consequence of this event. Pete’s character  is a slacker named Scott. He has self-destructive traits attributable to his father’s death. What makes the memories worst is that he lives on Staten Island where half the population are firemen  and the other half cops. Also his mother, Marisa Tomei, is dating a fireman. When a boy loses his father at a young age he has to blame someone to answer the “why” question. With age he understands  there may be no answer, but not Pete.

The first half of the movie is rough with Pete doing drugs being subjected to tough love and bad relationships. The latter part of the film is a redemption movie. Pete goes from the bottom to finding acceptance from the people he pissed off. The director is Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Trainwreck, Superbad) and this is probably his most unfunny movie he has made. There were some comic scenes, but overall this is a dark tinged drama

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Pete Davidson pulls off the dramatic acting. Given his background his angst is genuine. He delivers his performance in his usual phlegmatic style with eruptions of rage. He has reprehensible traits. He uses drugs, has no job or interest in work, a lazy lover and has a far fetched dream of opening a tattoo restaurant. As a counterbalance , in one scene he is taking two kids to school and he is very tender and caring with them, like a father.

Marisa Tomei plays the mother. This was an easy role for her in the fashion of Spiderman’s Aunt May. Since I know nothing of Staten Island culture I can not comment on her accent or style of dress. Steve Buscemi plays a fireman, which in his past life he actually was. He is a bridge between Pete and his late father since they worked together. It would have been nice to have more meat on his role.

Since we are in a movie desert any mirage is welcomed. But this mirage costs $20.00 bucks. Thank you Amazon.