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Ford vs Ferrari

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Mere_Man 
#1 ·
The wife and I usually watch movies at home, cuddled up on the couch. About once every two years, we actually drive in for a movie on the silver screen. Last night was such an event.

Ford vs Ferrari

The core cast, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, drew me to the movie. I honestly didn't know racing history or the story that would be told.

This is not a chick-flick, but my wife really enjoyed the movie, as it was a great historical account. She loved the friendship and loyalty between Shelby and Miles and the marital relationship of the Miles couple..... and the father/son relationship of Ken and Peter Miles.

The film industry doesn't make movies like this often these days, as it is a great American story. Being an action movie (car racing), the storyline is super strong and the acting performance of Christian Bale is spectacular.

We went to one of the new theaters that have plush, reclining seats and it was a spectacular experience.
 
#2 ·
Damon and Bale are douche bags in real life, but the movie was good. Original instead of the worn out recycled plots that have become the norm in Hollywood. Everyone in my family liked it, not just the guys. No PC woke BS. It actually had an Ayn Rand "individualism vs the collective" undertone. The movie was also fairly true to actual events without cheesy embellishment. Good story. Good movie. A rarity in this day and age.
 
#4 ·
I abhor.... absolutely HATE the corporate environment, ie. the toxic leadership hierarchy, jockeying for power and a passel of D-bags in mid-Management. Before I started my own company, I did that **** for 20 years. I wonder if the movie depicted the Ford motor company accurately? I wouldn't be surprised..... Through the movie, you find yourself HATING the Corporation.

........
 
#5 ·
Spoilers....


Mankind advances towards it's potential when individuals are free. Ford succeeded when Shelby, Miles and the engineers were let off the leash. The ability to integrate that into industry is one of the things that separates capitalism from socialism where utilitarianism is king.

For innovation to thrive in capitalism, it has to create something marketable. It has to pay the bills. Ferrari only sold cars to fund their racing and those cars were too expensive for the general public. That's why they went broke and had to sell to Fiat to survive. You have to make money to spend money.

Profit motive can also kill potential. We see that in the movie by Ford marketing exec Leo Beebe. People who knew him are offended by the portrayal, but it's a fact he ordered the 3 way finish.

Dumping tons of cash into the GT was a risk, but it worked. Ultimately, innovation in performance vehicles can improve consumer vehicles and in turn improve sales. You have to spend money to make money.

Was Ford Motor Co the bad guy? No, just a business. For those who don't remember/know, Iaccoca went on to save Chrysler. There would be no Hellcat without the K Car.
 
#6 ·
Saw it last night. My wife and I both really enjoyed it. I am not a race fan or even much of a car guy, but the movie was very well done. The acting was superb. The suspense and tension was powerful. The scenes with Myles and his wife were some of the best. It had all the feel of a classic movie, even after 2.5 hours. Highly recommended.
 
#8 ·
GREAT MOVIE!

I absolutely loved it. Mama and I went to see it and we laughed, cried, cheered etc. Absolutely wonderful. The best movie I've seen in years. Big John's review is spot on!!

Also, I've met Caroll Shelby way back in 1982 or so at the Detroit Grand Prix. He was walking up the long set of stairs from the pit/paddock area, up to the convention center, where the auto show was in full force. He was very out of breath, and stopped repeatedly. He and I talked cars for a while.

I had been working as an engine tech for a Ford team (with Ford Motorsport) and Shelby had at least a mild interest in what we were doing with the turbocharged engines.
 
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