By Ian Brockway

For decades I have thought that J.G. Ballard’s Crash (1973) is one of the most daring works of literature. Specifically, it is about symphorophilia, the sexual arousal and obsession with cars and collisions. Though not for all tastes, it is a great work of Surrealism and I have yet to read anything like it. 

In the film “Ford v. Ferrari,” directed by James Mangold, there is something of an obsession with cars and speed, and of pushing the physical body to its limit. Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) loves to race cars going well over the limit even while he is in danger of having a heart attack. Cars, danger and death are all inter-related.

His friend Ken Miles (Christian Bale) is a modest man and more reticent, but he is equally driven by acceleration. Both men put their lives second to the superiority of the auto on the track.

In the film, a restless CEO, Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts) is eaten by jealousy and wants to beat Enzo Ferrari. He hires Shelby to design a racing machine, one to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Shelby in turn, gets Ken Miles to drive.

The film is an engaging portrait of two obsessive figures. Shelby is a cool cowboy type while Miles is slightly inward and more reserved, but both connect by their love of fast cars.

Letts is entertaining as the stone-faced boss who goes to pieces once Shelby takes him for a spin, beyond a comfortable pace.

Catriona Balfe has a scene-stealing moment as Miles’s wife who drives in a bloodcurdling reckless fashion to get to her husband’s truth.

Bale does handily as driver Ken Miles, who has a near supernatural merging with the racing machine in terms of how the car feels, its strengths and weaknesses. Damon gives another fine performance as a designer with only one thing on his mind: racing.

In watching “Ford v. Ferrari” one sees two people: Shelby and Miles, pointing to a new beginning of man merging with the automobile, a being of metal and mind, chrome and flesh poised for our millennium. 

Ballard would have approved.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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