Displaying items by tag: Joseph Kosinski

F1

US, 2025, 155 minutes, Colour.

Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Kim Bodnia, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Samson Kayo. Callie Cooke.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Just in case there is someone who comes across this film, unaware of the meaning of what looks like a code, F1, it is, of course, Formula 1. Cars racing.

Over the decades, this is been a popular subject for the movies, in the 60s there was the Cinerama epic, Grand Prix, and films with stars like Steve McQueen at Le Mans and Paul Newman (who was an aficionado driver in real life). There was Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder, the biographies of various famous drivers like James Hunt and Nicky Lauder in A Rush, Ayrton Senna. And focusing on the entrepreneurs, Ford versus Ferrari.

Which means that there is a strong fan base for racing car movies also eager to see Brad Pitt in this film, and the promise of adrenaline pumping driving action. As regards the action, the fan base is certainly not disappointed. On the other hand, there is the question of what will non--F1 audiences make of it. At over 2 ½ hours, many might find it too much, the intensity of the races, the dangers, accidents, speeding skills…

Yes, F1, is for the fans.

The opening is in the US, Daytona, establishing the film for the American audience. However, it quickly moves to the UK, to Silverstone. And, as it progresses, the competition travels to Italy, Hungary, Japan, Holland, Abu Dhabi, Las Vegas – but sadly for Australian fans, not to Albert Park.

The central character is Sonny Hayes, a would-be champion with skill in the 1990s, a horrendous crash, his withdrawing from racing, and making more than a mess of his life. But, he decides to participate at Daytona, successful, and then approached by his great friend from the past, Ruben (an always welcome Javier Bardem). Ruben’s company is in financial mess, has an up-and-coming English driver, Josh Pearce (Damson Idris). Ruben has an offer that he hopes Sonny can’t refuse. He turns up in London and the rest of the film is race after race, rivalry between the up-and-coming driver and the veteran, tactics and accidents, the rough and tumble, plenty of both, in F 1.

The race sequences, of course, are outstanding – and, many of the sequences with the camera in the driver’s seat, the audience in the driver’s seat.

What is interesting is the behind-the-scenes, not just the squads at the pit stops, performing with speed and efficiency, but the technicians, the designers of the cars, the scientists, the engineers, as well as the companies and their board members (and schemes). And, during the races, the communications to the drivers, the network of information during the race, the panel giving advice, suggesting tactics, much more interesting than might have been imagined.

There are, as usual, family issues, love interest, and, all the time, the focus on Brad Pitt, turning 60 as he made this film, still with all the charm and bravado that he has shown for over 35 years.

The film was made for the fans and with such racing action sequences, they will not be disappointed.

1. The popularity of Formula One? The history during the 20^th century? Developments in the 21^st-century? The early cars, the early speedways, the competitions, becoming more international, the venues, more and more elaborate? The technology behind the development of the cast? The techniques of the drivers? The business aspects? (And the movie tradition of Formula One and car racing movies?)
2. The production values? For fans of Formula One? The visuals for the races, on the cars, manoeuvres, accidents, technology of the cars, speeds, the pitstops and changes, the panels and the keeping the drivers in contact with what was happening, advising? The business side? The atmospheric score and its sometimes pounding?
3. The filming of the events, the car often in the driver’s seat and the effect for the audience?
4. The focus on Sonny Hayes, Brad Pitt at 60? His character and personality, in the 1990s, the photos and video of him as young, racing, ambitions, talent, the crash and the consequences, driving, camps, relationships, divorces? The ad for help in Mexico? His performance at Daytona, achievement, return, noticed?
5. The arrival of Ruben, the relationship in the past, friendship, the photos? Ruben and his company, financial difficulties, with Joshua Pearce and the hopes, lack of success in the competition? The offer to Sonny, not just finance, the possibilities? Leaving it with him? Sonny and accepting?
6. The company, London, the meetings, the Board, Ruben and his concerns, the businessman on the board and the encouragement? The reliance on Joshua, age, but not as successful as hoped for? The arrival of Sonny, suspicions, his attitude, carefree?
7. Joshua, his age, skills, ambitions, experience, his relationship with his mother, her strong influence? His reaction to Sonny, considering him old, the press conferences, his slur, later apology? Observing Sonny, his exercise regime?
8. Kate, her design and engineering background, recruited by Ruben, her skills, card designs, the physics and aerodynamics? Her personality, wary of Sonny? It attracted, the discussions, her initial resistance? Her involvement in the races, the advice, the discussions with about car design, airflow…? Travelling, the discussions, success, the attraction, the hotel, the relationship?
9. The various members of the crew, Casper and his experience, the different ranges of expertise? Hugh, the bet and overheard? Cash and his personal assistance for Joshua? The impact of the scenes of the crew working together? The pitstop crew and the young woman and her accidents, supported, especially by Sonny, her improvement?
10. The race sequences and their impact, Daytona, Silverstone, and the various travels around Europe, to Japan, Las Vegas? The camera in the driver’s seat? The tracks, the speed, the manoeuvres? And the crowds and support?
11. Sonny, his attitude, the visual flashbacks to the past with Ruben? His story? His carefree attitudes, his shrewdness? The development of the manoeuvres, the disbelief of the team, Joshua and his wariness? Joshua and his crash, hospital, his mother’s reaction, especially to Sonny?
12. The business aspects, the need for wins, Sonny and his tactics, the improvement? The substitute driver and the success of the tactics? Joshua’s return, the advice from Sonny, Joshua not following it, then admitting it?
13. Peter Banning, smooth talk, business interests, his forging the details about the repairs, the authorities and forbidding the use of the cars? His approach to Sonny, offering the financial deals, disregard of Ruben? The effect on Sonny, his behaviour during the final race, Banning and the board and all the visitors, the possible sale? Sonny defying him and giving him the finger?
14. The final success, the company saved, the threats to Ruben, the bonding between the two?
15. The future? Joshua and his career, Sonny and some achievement, partnership with Ruben, with Kate?
16. In retrospect the plausibility of the plot, Sonny at 60, physical fitness, capacity for driving, his manoeuvres? But, despite any quibbles, an entertaining experience for fans of Formula 1?