Legends, or ones we would consider extraordinary individuals, have always fascinated the masses. By extension, the world of cinema loves them because, if done well, biopics are a tested recipe for success. Enzo Ferrari, the visionary founder of the iconic car manufacturer, is undoubtedly one such legend. His life had triumphs, tragedies, and an unwavering passion for cars. It serves as the inspiration for the highly anticipated biographical drama, Ferrari.
Directed by Michael Mann and starring the talented Adam Driver, Ferrari promises to be a captivating exploration of Enzo Ferrari's legacy. From his early days as a daring Formula 1 racer to the establishment of Ferrari as a symbol of automotive excellence, the film delves deep into the heart and soul of this remarkable entrepreneur.
Mann's Ferrari is set to conclude the 80th Venice Film Festival this year. In this article, we dive into the reasons why this film has car enthusiasts, cinephiles, and history buffs alike brimming with excitement.
The Legacy Of Enzo Ferrari Is Carved in Racing History
Enzo Ferrari, the iconic founder of Ferrari, was a legendary racer and automaker born in 1898 in Modena, Italy. His interest in cars was evident from an early age. In the early 1920s, Ferrari started his racing career with Alfa Romeo.
He achieved major success, winning several coveted races to establish himself as one of Italy's top racing talents. Enzo had the ambition and arguably the skill to become a World Champion. But a career-altering crash left him with a fractured leg in 1931, shattering his dream.
In 1939, Enzo Ferrari founded Auto Avio Costruzioni. It specialized in manufacturing automotive parts and equipment. This venture later evolved into the world-famous Ferrari brand that we know today.
He then established Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, the motorsport division of the company. The Scuderia gained prominence, dominating various racing events. Their prancing horse logo became synonymous with the Ferrari brand. The inspiration for the logo was an Italian World War I flying ace, Count Francesco Baracca.
As Ferrari's business grew, he shifted his focus from racing to building road cars. The first Ferrari-badged car, the 125 S, debuted in 1947. From then on, the brand's reputation for high-performance sports cars only grew stronger.
Today, Ferrari is an icon of speed, elegance, and exclusivity. And no wonder it has such a dedicated fanbase across the globe. Such an awe-inspiring life story has all the ingredients of a blockbuster film. Ambition, skill, tragedy, and a rise from the ashes to dominate the world. The people involved in this project only heighten our hopes for it.
According to the film's logline, it chronicles a pivotal chapter in Enzo Ferrari's life during the summer of 1957. It was the time when the threat of bankruptcy was looming over the company. Ferrari was at a crossroads both personally and professionally.
The loss of his son Dino and the strains in his marriage only added to his troubles. To counter his financial losses and rejuvenate his company's reputation, he decides to roll the dice on one race. It was the iconic Mille Miglia, a grueling 1,000-mile open-road endurance race across Italy.
Ferrari Is Directed By Michael Mann
The helm of Ferrari is in the hands of the visionary director Michael Mann. He is the brains behind Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, and Collateral. Mann's ability to explore the depths of his characters makes him the perfect choice to bring Enzo's complex story to the screen.
We see Michael Mann in the director's chair after a seven-year absence. And the fact that this project compelled him to return to this role is a testament to his passion. Ferrari has been his passion project spanning over two decades. An avid car enthusiast himself, Mann's understanding of the automotive world adds an extra layer of mastery. All the indicators point towards him being the perfect choice to direct this film.
The film's production encountered several delays and setbacks. But Mann's belief in the importance of Enzo Ferrari's story kept the project alive. Ferrari was originally produced by STX Entertainment. This company became a division of ErosSTX, an Indian media conglomerate. Because of the merger, STX could no longer be a distributor.
This posed some challenges for the film. But with the support of NEON as the distributor in the U.S., Ferrari is set to hit the screens towards the end of this year. It is worth noting that Ferrari completed its 75 years in 2022, which is also when Mann started filming this movie.
To bring Enzo Ferrari's intriguing and emotional life to the screen, Michael Mann is definitely not alone. Erik Messerschmidt, who previously worked on Mank, will complement his direction. The film's editor is the two-time Academy Award winner Pietro Scalia.
Also, Daniel Pemberton designs the score, which is sure to elevate the cinematic experience. While it is obvious that Mann has a talented team behind the camera, the individual set to bring Enzo Ferrari to life is none other than Adam Driver.
Adam Driver Is Playing Enzo Ferrari
In the lead role of Enzo Ferrari, Adam Driver is set to deliver a riveting performance. Known for his immense talent and versatility, Driver has established himself as one of the finest actors of his generation. His breakout role was that of Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
His critically acclaimed performances in Marriage Story And BlackkKlansman should be enough evidence of his talent. He has worked with renowned directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. And Driver's body of work speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft.
Taking on the role of a real-life legend like Enzo Ferrari is a challenge Driver seems prepared to conquer. His previous roles have proved his dedication to immersing himself in the characters he plays. Supported by a stellar supporting cast, we expect the film to be gripping and complex, like Enzo's life. The setting is Enzo's birthplace, the historic city of Modena, which is also where Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati were born.
Adam Driver's journey as Enzo Ferrari is particularly interesting. He stepped into the role after Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman were initially cast. With his ability to convey complex emotions, Driver is set to breathe life into the larger-than-life persona of Ferrari.
Ferrari Has A Stellar Supporting Cast
As noted, the focus of Ferrari will be its participation in the prestigious Mille Miglia race. The film will depict the penultimate leg of this open-road endurance race through Italy in 1957. The race could not continue after a Ferrari piloted by Alfonso de Portago lost a tire and crashed into the crowd. Tragically, the collision claimed the lives of nine individuals. This included Portago, navigator Edmund Nelson, and five children.
As Adam Driver takes center stage, the movie is set up by an ensemble of brilliant actors. Shailene Woodley will play Enzo Ferrari's longtime mistress Lina Lardi. Penélope Cruz will portray Laura, Enzo's wife. Playing the Italian race car driver Piero Taruffi is Patrick Dempsey, who will draw from his own background in motorsports.
Other notable actors in the cast include Jack O'Connell as the British driver Peter Collins. Sarah Gadon is set to play the Mexican actress Linda Christian. Gabriel Leone is cast in the role of the eccentric Alfonso de Portago. In the role of American navigator Edmund Nelson is Erik Haugen.
With such an abundance of acting ability, Ferrari promises to be a cinematic journey like no other. And we are hopeful it will do justice to the inspiring life of Enzo Ferrari.
Source: Variety, Collider, CNN