Auto racing movies have been around since at least the 1930s, a natural draw to filmmakers and audiences because of their speed, kinetics and action.  Not to mention the bravery of the racers themselves.  I’ve always enjoyed racing films, which are probably more common than one might think.  Most major stars have raced on screen, from James Cagney and Pat O’Brien through Steve McQueen and Paul Newman to Christian Bale and now Brad Pitt.  Even more unusual casting choices, like Richard Pryor, Bonnie Bedelia, Darren McGavin and Betsy Russell have made decent racing movies.  But few have tried to capture the turbo-charged excitement of Formula One racing.

Joseph Kosinski’s movie brings a veteran driver back into the fold.  Team leader Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) is desperate for a win, or something close to it, to prevent his team from losing its sponsorship and himself from losing his fortune.  He hires Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a retired F1 driver, to serve as his back-up driver and mentor his young hot-shot driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) how to strategize, work within a team, and win.  Rivalry and animosity almost derail the arrangement, and the embarrassments are many, but eventually everyone begins to gel as an actual team.

While the details and intricacies of Formula One racing are apparent, if not always spelled out with clarity, the story itself is rather simplistic.  Most racing movies are, unfortunately; it seems that the visuals almost always overwhelm the written aspects of these stories.  That is true here, as well, though there are some sequences that work really well, and one that is downright meritorious.  Throw in a bit of romance and some business intrigue and it makes for an entertaining two-and-a-half hour adventure.

Ultimately, while the story is certainly serviceable, it isn’t anything super special.  What really makes this work is Brad Pitt in his role of a bruised and battered former hot-shot, a guy who has not given up on life although his big racing dreams just didn’t pan out.  His character is an underdog that one just cannot help rooting for, showing how to exist and do one’s best by example.  Sonny Hayes is no superhero, and most superheroes are probably rather boring characters when not busy saving the world.  Sonny Hayes is a guy still trying to fly, and at least for a few minutes in this movie, he soars.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  30 July 2025.