From the Cockpit to the Big Screen: A Look at the New Formula 1 Film
Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former Formula 1 prodigy, has traded the glamorous life of a racing superstar for a nomadic existence. Drifting from team to team, he never stays in one place for long. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), the ambitious owner of APXGP, convinces Hayes to join his struggling team. Cervantes believes that Hayes’s experience could be the key to unlocking the potential of their young, hotshot driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). But APXGP faces more than just technical challenges; a fiery rivalry ignites between the seasoned Hayes and the headstrong Pearce, threatening to derail the team’s chances. To succeed, they must learn to put aside their differences and work as a cohesive unit.
Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in the Formula 1 film
Kosinski’s High-Octane Gamble
Director Joseph Kosinski, fresh off the monumental success of “Top Gun: Maverick,” is no stranger to reviving seemingly outdated genres. His approach is simple: inject them with spectacle and cutting-edge technology. He successfully resurrected the sci-fi genre with “Tron: Legacy,” a visually stunning sequel to the 80s classic. He then repeated the feat with “Top Gun: Maverick,” a high-flying return to the world of test pilots. Now, Kosinski sets his sights on the world of sports films. By securing the support of major brands, transforming real-life racing events into filming locations, and putting Brad Pitt behind the wheel, he aims to deliver a film with the same level of excitement and success as his previous ventures. While it may not reach the billion-dollar heights of “Top Gun,” “Formula 1” has already become Apple’s most expensive project to date, signaling high expectations.
Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce in the Formula 1 film
A Technical Triumph
Technically, the film is a marvel. It’s a high-octane racing spectacle with cameras mounted on the cars, dynamic parallel editing, and a pulsating electronic score by Hans Zimmer (his third foray into racing themes after “Days of Thunder” and “Rush”). The film has garnered praise from both racing enthusiasts and professionals within the Formula 1 community. Kosinski and Pitt seem to be consciously drawing parallels to “Le Mans,” the quintessential 70s motorsport film starring Steve McQueen, who embodied the rugged, lone-wolf archetype that Pitt now inherits.
Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in the Formula 1 film
When the Engines Cool: A Familiar Formula
However, once the cars are parked, “Formula 1” reveals its weaknesses. The drama relies heavily on tired racing clichés. The generational conflict between the young and ambitious Pearce and the experienced Hayes is a recurring theme in sports films. The team’s predictable journey to triumph, with Pitt’s character overcoming his ego and embracing teamwork, feels sterile and devoid of genuine emotion. Even the crashes, usually pivotal moments in the genre, are sanitized, with characters quickly recovering from injuries. The film lacks the raw, risky romanticism of 70s racing, where every race could end in tragedy. What’s good for the sport isn’t necessarily good for the drama.
Missed Turns
The obligatory romantic subplot, involving Hayes and the team’s technical director, Kate (Kerry Condon), feels forced and unnecessary. Javier Bardem’s performance as the team owner is functional but limited in range, his emotions dictated solely by the team’s performance.
While Kosinski clearly has a passion for fast machines, “Formula 1” struggles to connect with the audience on an emotional level. It’s a visually stunning showcase of technological achievement, but it lacks genuine human emotion and suspense. Brad Pitt’s presence is undoubtedly a saving grace, becoming the face of both the team and the film itself. He convincingly portrays the nonconformist, lone-wolf character. But is there anything truly captivating about it? Not really. The ode to male professionalism and perseverance has been sung before, in “Creed” and countless other sports films. “Formula 1” knows how to pull ahead of most competitors in terms of spectacle, but it still lags behind the genre’s champions, as familiar tropes overtake the film on its dramatic turns.