F1

Yes, this is a film about motor racing - but it's much more than that. There is a lot of in-car tight action camera shots as Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) race against the likes of Hamilton, Verstappen and LeClerc. But, there is strong acting across the cast to deliver characters with great complexity and a couple of romances thrown in for good measure.

The narrative arc of the film is quite simple and covers the final nine races of the F1 season. The ailing 
APXGP F1 team is owned by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), a one-time friend and team mate of Hayes 30 years previously. In desperation to save the team and stave off $350m of debt, Cervantes turns to his friend to become the lead driver and rescue the season before the board sell off the failing team.

What makes this film so compelling is the way in which it feels like APXGP F1 is simply another team in the F1 paddock as many scenes integrate real pit lane activity with all the F1 stars in the background and on the track. Commentary even features SKY F1's TV presenters Martin Brundle and Crofty. At times it feels much more like a docudrama than a movie such is the realism that is created.

There is even a "Bernie Collins' character in the guise of Technical Director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon) whose Irish charm, sparkly eyes and razor sharp brain combine to deliver the perfect foil for the uber-cool and laid back Sonny Hayes.

For those who are willing to look behind the flashy and noisy F1 circus, this film delivers a number of engaging character studies. The age and experience of the peripatetic loner Hayes against the driving ambition of live-with-his-mum Pearce, creates a tension that sparks and throbs throughout the film. The likeable but desperate Cervantes anchors the story. The sleazy Peter Banning (Tobia Menzies) adds an element of someone you love to hate. The completely likeable Jodie (Callie Cooke) who becomes very clumsy in the presence of Pearce lifts the scenes she appears in.

There is inevitably a lot of testosterone and machismo in this film given that it represents the pinnacle of male competitive sport. But as I have said, there is a lot more to it as we are invited to explore all the characters including Pearces mum (Sarah Niles) and manager (Samson Kayo) as well as the APXGP Team Principal (Kim Bodnia). In a world where there is easy temptation to cut corners, it is good to see people holding out to do the right thing in the right way. Tenderness, love, self-doubt and forgiveness all have their parts to play. This film is character driven rather narrative drive. The narrative is simply a vehicle.

I saw this at my local IMAX cinema and the pictures and soundtrack were immersive. Plenty of low-end rumble! I would recommend this film - even to those who are not motor racing fans. I'm going to give it 8/10.