“F1: The Movie”
(USA)
Metacritic (6/10), Letterboxd (3/5), Imdb.com (6/10), TMDB.com (6/10), Imdb.com critics review
#BrentMarchant #F1TheMovie #formula1racing #BradPitt #JavierBardem #KerryCondon #DamsonIdris #grandprix #AbuDhabi #LasVegas #Daytona #actionadventure
I could beat around the bush about this one, but I won’t: If you’re looking for innocuous, mindless entertainment lacking in substance and riddled with clichés and implausibilities, all supported by admittedly impressive action-adventure cinematography, then this is the movie for you. Writer-director Joseph Kosinski has yet again created a picture that’s the perfect choice for those times when you just want to kick back, turn your brain off and let your consciousness be nurtured on a mind-numbing visual pacifier for a few hours (although, in this case, those “few hours” may go on a little long even for those most accustomed to absorbing this kind of cinematic fare). Essentially “F1” is a shallow dive into the world of Formula One auto racing with cookie-cutter characters playing out narrative expectations that we have seen countless times before, especially in the world of sports movies: an aging veteran who never attained the success he wanted seeks redemption late in his career (Brad Pitt) at the behest of an old friend who needs a favor (Javier Bardem), all the while mentoring a promising but green rookie (Damson Idris) (who looks more like a model from the cover of GQ than a world class Formula One driver) and courting a reluctant and unlikely romantic interest (Kerry Condon). Along the way there are the requisite setbacks, rebellious outbursts, clandestine betrayals, improbable miracles and moments of predictable glorious victory, all timed to show up perfectly on cue. Mind you, there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of this, but none of it is particularly original or groundbreaking, even if set in a previously untapped milieu. In light of that, then, those looking for better offerings about the world of motor sports (particularly Formula One) would be better served by screening previous releases on the subject, such as John Frankenheimer’s Oscar-winning “Grand Prix” (1966) and Ron Howard’s “Rush” (2013), both of which feature stories that are more engaging and don’t play like a ground-based version of “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) (which, incidentally, Kosinski also directed – coincidence?). What’s more, like the sport of Formula One (and, for that matter, virtually all of auto racing itself), the film is a rather shameless exercise in product placement advertising, which, admittedly, lends a degree of “authenticity” to the film but that also grows somewhat tiresome after a while. To its credit, “F1” provides aspiring filmmakers and audiences with a clinic in masterful action-adventure movie cinematography, special effects, sound, stunt work and film editing (even if the non-action-adventure sequences could use some serious pruning at times, especially in light of the production’s bloated 2:35:00 runtime), accomplishments that have helped earn the picture seven Critics Choice Award nominations, two Golden Globe Award nods and a Top 10 Movie honor from the National Board of Review. To be sure, this release may score big points for its technical achievements, but don’t expect much more from it than that, especially when it comes to surprise developments, narrative freshness or outstanding acting (particularly by Pitt, who, true to form, once again proves that he’s far better at comedy than dramatic roles). Indeed, by the time the end of this picture finally rolls around, viewers may relish the waving of the checkered flag almost as much as the drivers themselves.