Film Review: Le Mans ’66

James Mangold’s Le Mans ‘66 offers thrills in abundance. The bravura racing sequences are enough to overcome a flawed screenplay.

In the 1960s, Henry Ford II is looking for an idea to get the Ford company out of its slump. Ford decide to build a race car to compete in Le Mans, but need the right team to do it…

Focusing on Ford’s attempts to build a race car to win the Le Mans tournament, Le Mans ‘66 principally concentrates on a former driver turned designer and a successful but disagreeable driver.  The film focuses on these two and their motivation, with the wider history entering the fray at intervals.

The script, written by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller is rather perfunctory. Miles is given depth in his character, while most others exist to provide a sounding board, or exposition. The dialogue, save for some amusing asides, is not great.  

To begin with, it appears as if Le Mans ’66 is going to be very pro-American, and very pro the great American corporation. Mangold subverts these expectations as the narrative continues, offering something much more critical. With the US title of Ford v Ferrari, viewers would be forgiven for thinking the film would set up a rivalry which permeates throughout. However, this is very much the Ford show, with the Ferrari team only having a peripheral role.  

Where the film excels is in its execution of the racing sequences. Here James Mangold shows his flair in delivering exciting, sometimes nerve-wracking scenes. The camerawork and editing are aided a good deal by some really great sound design. The freneticism of activity is effectively captured by Mangold. Christian Bale once again delivers a very convincing performance as Ken Miles. Matt Damon is on good form, Caitriona Balfe is given little to do but play the supportive wife. 

Le Mans ‘66 is a triumph of action over script. If the screenplay had matched the action, the film would have been a tour de force.

Le Mans ’66 is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2019.

Previews: Don’t Look Now Trailer, Ad Astra, More!

Plenty new and renewed in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Don’t Look Now trailer, Ad Astra, An Acceptable Loss, and more…

Don’t Look Now Trailer

Here is a brand new Don’t Look Now trailer. The 1973 classic gets a 4K Ultra HD restoration, which will play in cinemas from 5th July, and be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and Collector’s Edition from 29th July 2019. Directed by Nicholas Roeg, Don’t Look Now is an iconic thriller, and truly a must-see film.

Ad Astra Trailer

Here is the first trailer for the hotly anticipated Ad Astra. The film is about an astronaut who travels to the edge of the solar system to find his missing father and the project he was working on. Directed by James Gray (The Lost City of Z), the film stars Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Ruth Negga. Ad Astra will hit UK screens on 18th September 2019.

An Acceptable Loss Trailer

An Acceptable Loss is a political thriller about Libby, a university lecturer who formerly worked as an aide for the US Vice President. When the Vice President becomes President, Libby worries about her safety. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Tika Sumpter. An Acceptable Loss will be available on Digital Download from 15th July 2019.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Trailer

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark is a new horror based on the book series of the same name. Set in 1968 small-town America, the film is about a young girl who turns her horrible secrets into a series of scary stories, which are found by a group of teenagers. Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark is directed by André Øvredal and co-written and produced by Guillermo del Toro. The film is released in UK cinemas in August 2019.

Le Mans ’66 Trailer

Here is the first trailer for Le Mans ’66 (known as Ford vs Ferrari in the US). The film is about the designer and race driver who built a revolutionary race car for Ford to take on the dominating race cars of Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. Directed by James Mangold (Logan, Knight and Day), the film stars Christian Bale and Matt Damon. Le Mans ’66 launches on to UK screens on 8th November 2019.

Previews: Baywatch Poster, Logan, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including a moving Baywatch poster, The Eyes of My Mother, A Cure for Wellness, and more…

Baywatch Poster

Zac Efron promotes his new film in this moving Baywatch poster. The film, based on the 1990s television show, the film stars Efron, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra, and Alexandra Daddario. Baywatch hits the big screen on 31st May 2017.

The Eyes of My Mother

Gothic horror The Eyes of My Mother looks intriguing. The directorial debut of Nicolas Pesce, the film is about a young women whose dark curiosities are triggered following a tragedy in her life. Starring Kika Magalhaes, Will Brill, and Clara Wong, The Eyes of My Mother will be released in UK cinemas on 24th march 2017.

A Cure for Wellness Clip

A Cure for Wellness looks rather creepy, if the above clip is anything to go by. The film stars Dane DeHaan as a young executive sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from a remote wellness centre. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film also stars Oscar Isaacs and Mia Goth. A Cure for Wellness will hit UK cinemas on 24th February 2017.

Certain Women Poster

Following Meek’s Cutoff and Night Moves, director Kelly Reichardt’s latest film is Certain Women. The film stars Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart as three women trying to forge there own paths in the plains of the American Northwest. Certain Women is out at UK cinemas on 3rd March 2017.

The Great Wall Featurette

Matt Damon describes The Great Wall as a “full-on battle monster movie” in the above featurette. He also speaks about his character, and the plot of the film. The Great Wall also stars Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, and Willem Dafoe. Directed by Zhang Yimou, the film is out at UK cinemas on 17th February 2017.

Logan Trailer

Wolverine has turned babysitter in this latest X-Men movie. The film sees Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart reprise their roles in a dystopian road movie. James Mangold directs, and the film also stars Dafne Keen. Logan launches onto UK screens on 1st March 2017.

Beauty and the Beast Poster

Emma Watson looks very much the part of Belle in this latest Beauty and the Beast poster. From the images and clips revealed so far, this live-action remake is keeping the visual style of the original animated film. Also starring Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, and Ian McKellan, Beauty and the Beast is out on UK screens on 17th March 2017.

City of Tiny Lights Trailer

City of Tiny Lights very much evokes the look and feel of a neo-noir of decades past. Liz Ahmed stars as a deadbeat private eye whose services are engaged by a high-class prostitute. Also starring Billie Piper, City of Tiny Lights will be released in UK cinemas on 7th April 2017.

Previews: Logan Trailer, Loving, and more!

Plenty of great previews this week, including the new Logan trailer, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Loving, and more…

Logan Trailer

Here is the first Logan trailer, the latest film in the X-Men series. The film is set in the future, and sees Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart reprise their roles. Logan is directed by James Mangold, who helmed 2013’s The Wolverine. The film is set for release in cinemas in 2017.

Loving Featurette

Loving tells the true story of the Richard and Mildred Loving, who fought for their right to live as an interracial couple in late 1950s America. This featurette sees the the cast of the film, including Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga, discuss the characters and the wider background. Loving will be released in UK cinemas on 3rd February 2017.

A Cure for Wellness Trailer

This trailer for A Cure for Wellness looks intriguing. The film is a psychological thriller from director Gore Verbinski. A young executive is sent to a remote wellness centre to retrieve his company’s CEO. Starring Dane DeHaan, Mia Goth, and Jason Isaacs, A Cure for Wellness is set for release in early 2017.

Collateral Beauty Poster

Here is the latest poster for Collateral Beauty. The film is about an advertising executive, and the group of colleagues who get him to confront his grief. The film features a stellar cast, including Will Smith, Edward Norton, and Helen Mirren. Collateral Beauty will be out in cinemas on 26th December 2016.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer

So for most of this first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it seems as if Marvel are withholding Baby Groot. But, have no fear, they deliver at the very end. The eagerly anticipated sequel sees the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy reunite. Brand new footage of James Gunn’s film can be seen at screenings of Doctor Strange (released on the 25th October). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 28th April 2017.

The Accountant TV Spot

Here is one of the latest TV spots for The Accountant. The film had its European premiere in London’s Leicester Square this week. The Accountant stars Ben Affleck as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous organisations. The film hits UK screens on 4th November 2016.

Film Review: Knight and Day

Knight and Day relies heavily on the star power of leads Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The film definitely benefits from the pair’s chemistry; without this it is passable at best.

A chance encounter at the airport changes the life of June Havens (Diaz) forever. She finds her life is in danger after she gets chatting to secret agent Ron Miller (Cruise) on a plane…

As an action comedy, Knight and Day appears to tick all the boxes. The film contains large-scale action sequences, plot twists, a love story and amusing set-ups. Nevertheless, it lacks the magic that would make it a memorable film. Although the stunts are well produced, the twists aren’t that imaginative and the comedic situations are not as funny as you would hope.

Tom Cruise appears to send himself up a little in his portrayal of the seemingly unhinged Miller. As the film progresses, Miller is revealed to be more astute than his initial depiction; an analogy, perhaps, of Cruise and his public persona. Cameron Diaz plays June as ditzy yet endearing. It is a role she has played before, but one she plays well. Cruise and Diaz work well in this pairing; their chemistry sparks an interest in an otherwise mundane narrative.

The premise of Knight and Day isn’t a poor one, but it has been done before and executed much better than in this film. James Mangold directs the action scenes with finesse, however the sequences in between are let down by a lack of ingenuity, which would have carried the audience’s interest through.

Knight and Day is enjoyable enough if it is not taken seriously at all.  It is the type of film you would happily watch on television or dvd, but may leave you a little disgruntled after paying to see it on the big screen.