Michael Mann's big comeback is all about speed, that of the Ferraris of the brand founder, played by Adam Driver.
In 1957, in the Modena cemetery, Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) mourns in the mausoleum with the remains of his son Dino, who had died the year before. Il Commendatore, as he is called, also has problems with his passionate and faithful wife Laura (Penélope Cruz, perfect), who does not shy away from threatening him with a gun because of his infidelity, his double life with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley). unconvincing fake accent) and her illegitimate son.
Actor Adam Driver, who plays Enzo Ferrari, on the red carpet for the film's premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last August. MEGA/IF
But the core of the problem is the situation of the Ferrari team. The company is on the verge of bankruptcy and must win the Mille Miglia, an endurance and speed race of more than 1,500 km, in order to start receiving car orders again.
This terrible joy, this terrible joy that Adam Driver speaks of in the shoes of Enzo Ferrari, it is the speed, the racing, these brushes with death that give the impression of being more alive than the living. As a former driver, Ferrari only dreams of placing its cars at the top of all podiums with the Prancing Black Horse logo on a yellow background.
Given his height of 1.98 m, Adam Driver gives Enzo Ferrari the appearance of a giant, with square shoulders and a protruding stomach between the straps that hold up his trousers. Silver hair slicked back, sunglasses screwed over his eyes, the man is stern and unwavering in his determination.
Michael Mann, whose “Public Enemies” (2009) with Johnny Depp suffered from a lack of cohesion, falls into the same trap here. When we are amazed to discover an episode in the life of a man about whom we know nothing and are impressed by the achievements of Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz, on the other hand it is very difficult to imagine the father of the team car in flamboyant red, a man of flesh and blood.
Ferrari will be in cinemas from December 25th
Rating: 4 out of 5