Ferrari Film: At the Venice Film Festival, Michael Mann’s latest film, “Ferrari,” featuring Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, received mixed reviews. Adam Driver’s portrayal of Enzo Ferrari was widely lauded for its humanity, but reviews disagreed on the film’s emotional impact. Many thought the film was more flair than substance, lacking an emotional core despite its magnificent racing sequences and period realism. The film follows the Ferrari car brand creator and race car driver in late 1950s Italy.
Time Out, IndieWire, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Los Angeles Times said that while the racing scenes were thrilling, the personal drama and family scenes were disappointing. Time Out said, “Ferrari is dramatically flat for all its beauty.” IndieWire agreed, “The race is energetic, but the family parts are dull. But the two never blend well.”
Michael Mann, famed for “Heat,” “Collateral,” and “Miami Vice,” was criticized for his disconnected filmmaking. The Hollywood Reporter said, “Mann’s clinical direction keeps us at a distance,” implying his technique didn’t fit the story’s emotional beats. The LA Times agreed, “Mann’s clinical directing keeps us out of the characters’ reach. The glossy images are lovely but static.”
Even if the picture lacked emotional depth, Adam Driver’s performance stood out. Variety praises Driver: “Driver is firing on all cylinders even when the emotional engine of the film falters.” The Guardian noted, “Driver makes us feel his frustration and ambition through sheer skill.” However, the picture fell short of the actor’s.
Though lacking in emotional storytelling, the picture was praised for its visuals. Cinematography and period elements were lauded for accurately depicting late 1950s Italy. This was likewise a double-edged sword. Critics said the film’s aesthetic splendor couldn’t make up for its emotional absence.
The picture generated discussions regarding action and biopics today. Other interviews have accused Michael Mann of criticizing modern action films for their “outrageous choreography.” His “Ferrari” attempt seemed likely to provide something deeper, but critics say it lacked emotional resonance.
The film’s Venice Film Festival premiere garnered media attention. The broad critical consensus is that “Ferrari” offers Michael Mann’s trademark slick aesthetic but fails to humanize the legendary figure at the center of the story. The film’s visual extravaganza and emotional storytelling may divide moviegoers, with some admiring its aesthetic virtues and others demanding more.
A famous director, a star-studded cast, and a legendary real-life figure make “Ferrari” a blockbuster biopic. Critics say the plot isn’t emotionally gripping. Adam Driver’s acting is praised, but the film may not provide a complete look at Enzo Ferrari’s life.
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