The recently released film, Ford v Ferrari, has generated discussion regarding its portrayal of white men and its representation of women, with some critics highlighting a perceived lack of diversity in the movie.

Critical Reception and Diversity Concerns

Ford v Ferrari, a biopic about car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles, depicts their collaboration to help Ford defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Both Shelby and Miles were white men, a fact that has drawn commentary from some reviewers.

Bloomberg writer Hannah Elliott critiqued the film, stating, “This is a film celebrating those nostalgic golden days when white men ruled.” Elliott also noted, “No fraction of the storyline is devoted to parsing the thoughts and feelings of any female who appears, even peripherally, on screen.” Elliott’s unofficial count indicated that men dominate the screen for 98% of the film’s 152 minutes. She described the film as "a devastating picture of the lack of diversity that permeated the industry in the 1960s."

The film does not pass the Bechdel test, a standard requiring two female characters to have a conversation about something other than a man. While some argue that films might benefit from more female representation, others suggest that a biopic about car figures in the 1960s may not be the appropriate context for such a focus.

Elliott further criticized the film for celebrating Shelby, whom she described as a "notorious womanizer" who enjoyed big game hunting and was sued for sexual harassment. She contended that Shelby was not accurately portrayed as the "benign if hardheaded creative" shown in the film. Director James Mangold addressed this criticism at the film’s world premiere, stating, "Speaking as a director of actors, I’ve seen overly researching get majorly in the way."

Filmmaking and Storytelling

Ford v Ferrari stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as Ken Miles. The film tells the story of the two men being tasked by Ford to build a car capable of beating Ferrari at Le Mans, a race the Italian brand had dominated. The movie takes some liberties with timelines, but the outcome shows Ford winning the 1966 Le Mans, also securing second and third place, thereby ending Ferrari's reign.

The film has been described as an "entertaining and visually beautiful film." Ronnie Schreiber, writing for The Truth About Cars, noted that James Mangold "appears to have accomplished" making a film that resonates with both "knowledgeable enthusiasts and the general public."

The motion picture industry has a history of making movies about cars and car racing, with racing providing elements for dramatic and entertaining stories, including "life-or-death danger." However, racing movies have sometimes disappointed car enthusiasts due to a lack of realism or financial backers due to lower ticket sales. Mangold's film is seen by some as an example of a director achieving success with budget, actors, story, and technical execution.

Industry Commentary and Public Reaction

The critique from Hannah Elliott of Bloomberg News has been described as a "scalding one." Brad Slager of RedState commented on the position taken by Elliott, suggesting that it is "ridiculous" and that its invalidation at the box office would be "funnier." Slager also implied that a requirement for journalists in Hollywood is to "virtue signal to left on a regular basis."

Lee Habeeb, a Newsweek Columnist and Vice President of Content at Salem Media Group, reviewed Elliott's review, framing it as a "window into the world of modern identity politics." Habeeb suggested that "the politics of gender, in this case, can destroy any cultural experience deemed not sufficiently 'woke.'"

The Washington Examiner noted that some people are complaining that the film "contains too many white guys," despite it being a biopic about white men. The film has been described as a "classic American story."

Key Facts

  • Ford v Ferrari is a biopic about car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles.
  • The film depicts their efforts to help Ford beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
  • Bloomberg writer Hannah Elliott criticized the film for celebrating "white men" and for a perceived lack of female representation.
  • Elliott stated that men dominate 98% of the screen time in the 152-minute film, by her unofficial count.
  • The film does not pass the Bechdel test.
  • Director James Mangold addressed criticisms regarding the portrayal of Shelby, noting that "overly researching" can hinder acting.
  • The movie stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as Ken Miles.