ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What’s good, homies? It’s time for another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL, and this week, we’re taking you to go like hell at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We’re hitting that sweet spot, 7,000 RPMS, where everything vanishes, and all that's left is a body moving through space and time. That’s right, we’re talking James Mangold’s 2019 biographical sports drama “Ford v Ferrari”, which tells the true story of American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and British driver/engineer Ken Miles as they join forces with the Ford Motor Company to build a revolutionary race car capable of defeating Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. This movie is a slam dunk that both Otis and I neglected upon release, but have since come to adore, so join us as we line up like GT40s and cross the finish line… but this time there’s no technicality to trip us up. We’re all winners.
“Ford v Ferrari” is a masterclass in turning something that could easily be a run-of-the-mill sports movie into a well-oiled and rich cinematic experience. From the direction to the performances to the editing to the story beats to the deeper themes of the film to the immaculate and nostalgic Sunday-afternoon-all-star vibe of the movie, this one is near-perfect. Starring Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitríona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, and Ray McKinnon, this movie rules. It’s tough to find movies like this that (seemingly) effortlessly pull off real thrills, dynamic action, laughs, excellent writing, beautiful cinematography, and a lot of heart. It also boasts pitch-perfect performances from the cast. Seriously. Not a single bad turn. Damon, Letts, Lucas, Bernthal… all amazing. Bale, especially, delivers a performance unlike anything he’s done before and is so damn charming and funny. Josh Lucas’ Leo Beebe is an all-time pencil-pushing scumbag. Letts as Henry Ford II, is a home run. Damon is back to casually remind you all that he is really that guy. It’s awesome.
Nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this movie was a hit with both critics and audiences alike. So, join us this week as we discuss why this movie rules, give it some context and history, talk about what makes it so special, share what we love about it, and a whole lot more. Truthfully, neither of us really cares about racing, but when Ford tells Shelby to go to war, we’re locked in. It’s wonderful. It’s fun. It’s charming. This one is a gush fest. Also in this episode, some clerical updates, a quick discussion on Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”, and some hints for our 182nd episode next week.
As always…
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