Ferrari

• Directed by Michael Mann
• Written by Troy Kennedy Martin based on Brock Yates book.

Set in 1957 the film follows Enzo Ferrari through the toughest year of his life. His business is on the edge of failure as is his marriage to Laura (Penélope Cruz). Both struggling to come to terms with the loss of their son. Enzo is hiding a second family with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley) and their son Piero. Alongside this Ferrari face a make or break race at the upcoming Mille Miglia. A win will raise Ferrari’s profile and order book, while defeat will see its end. But it is a race that will come with the very highest price.

This is a film that should work, a story about a sporting icon, when his sport was at its most glamorous as racers won hearts with their exploits in the face of huge danger. But none of that made it to the screen. I’m not sure whether Ferrari’s life wasn’t interesting enough to carry the story, or whether it was the paper thin characters who I struggled to connect with, but it didn’t do it for me.

It all felt disjointed with a lack of chemistry between characters. Ferrari and Lardi’s affair felt cold. Drivers who were putting their lives on the line were never developed enough to care about them as inevitable disaster closed in. It was very formulaic with every twist and turn clearly signposted

It wasn’t terrible and that’s in no small part due to Cruz who brings much needed energy to the screen portraying a smart, passionate and quick-witted Laura. Her exchanges with Driver, who is as dependable as ever, are the only time the film comes to life.

Its other plus is the recreation of the races, some shonky CGI aside, which put you in the heart of the action giving you a feel of the bone rattling speeds and risks the drivers were taken. Its just a pity that the film gave them so little substance to care about.

Ferrari felt a little cold and dull, some excellently recreated races and Penélope Cruz aside. Whether it is the source material or the adaptation I don’t know, but it just never really grabbed me. More beige family car than Ferrari.