“F1 The Movie” Review: An Exhilarating Tale Of Victories, Friends & Second Chances

When it comes to sports, if you’re not really an invested fan, you can easily get lost on what makes such an activity so exciting. Basketball? Well, it’s just guys throwing a ball into a basket. Football? It’s about two teams kicking a ball across a field and into a much larger net. Fencing? That’s about two people touching each other with a fake sword. And you can make the argument that F1 is no different, as it’s just people driving in circles. However, when you are invested and understand the intricacies of the sport and everything that goes behind it, then and only then do you understand why certain people find the activity so endearing.

This is the feeling we picked up after going through the incredible ride that is “F1 the Movie”. In its two-and-a-half-hour runtime, we were gripped by this blood-pumping melodrama – filled with plenty of highs and lows – that surprisingly shatters all expectations. Starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem and directed by Joseph Kosinski, this film is here to shake up what we know about the sport and how we might be fans of it moving forward.

The film follows Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt), a former Formula One driver and potential champion who was forced into retirement following a severe car crash. Despite this, he still yearns to be behind the wheel, going through all sorts of ventures just to chase this high.

After a successful race, he is tracked down by his old friend and Formula One team owner, Ruben (played by Javier Bardem), who lures him to come out of retirement in the hopes of finally earning that championship he so longed for. Hayes is also tasked with mentoring rookie prodigy Joshua (played by Damson Idris) in hopes of saving the team and what ultimately kicks off a captivating bromance that sees both parties change forever.

At its core, “F1 the Movie” is a story about second chances as well as giving chances to those who never had any. It is a universal trait that we see in all of the characters and is the main driving force of the film — Sonny could have had the title of F1 Champion but instead drives taxis for a living; Joshua climbed the ladder in the world of racing only to be dwarfed by long-standing professionals in the field; Javier wants his team to bounce back after back-to-back losses or lose it entirely; and Kate (played by Kerry Condon) is trying to prove to the world that she has what it takes to be the first female F1 technical director.

As they go through the difficulties of the sport as well as working together, their differences become more apparent, testing whether their bond is strong enough to help them bag the trophy and save everything they’ve worked hard for. A monumental task that’s only achieved thanks to the casts’ incredible acting prowess and chemistry. Whenever any of these four characters come together, sparks or bitter words start flying. Pitt is able to bring that almost-jaded, mentor-like vibe to the film, which nicely clashes with Idris’ more cocky and gloating personality, who cares more about the fame and fortune than the racing itself. In preparation for this role, the two actors tried out Formula Three and Formula Two racing, with a slight kiss of Formula One that further elevates their acting and their responses behind the wheel.

Bardem is highly convincing as Pitt’s friend who is forced to compromise on many things so as not to sacrifice his livelihood or his bonds. And Condon is doing her best to get by, perfectly representing everyday folk who are the first to feel the brunt whenever their bosses take a loss. Unfortunately, it feels as if these two are ultimately left behind, with Condon essentially seeming as if she is shoehorned in to add a bit more variety among the characters Pitt interacts with.

One of the drawbacks of the film is that Brad Pitt dominates most of it, being the lead and all – but it would have been far better if his co-stars also had more character interaction, namely Idris and Condon, Idris and Bardem, and Condon and Bardem. Sure, there are snippets of character interactions between them, but it’s largely telling rather than showing. Which is a shame, as the film has so much more to offer in terms of emotional weight and character bonds – if only it took a hearty minute or two away from Pitt and Idris.

However, that does not detract from the film’s overall performance. First of all, writing a story about speedy racing cars and those who operate them would have ultimately fallen flat if not for the director. Much like his “Top Gun: Maverick”, Joseph Kosinski has managed to pull off another stunning bromance film, filled with plenty of low points as well as well-deserved victories. Through his vision, he’s able to bring an interesting sport and make it far more interesting and thrilling for those who know nothing about F1. But unlike “Top Gun: Maverick”, “F1 the Movie” lacks that emotional punch that might have made this great film a timeless one.

The film is ultimately tied together with stunning cinematography and editing; every second behind the wheel feels more electrifying than the last. From the shaking of the car to the quick cuts and slow motion, you can feel the weight of the film as if you’re in the driver seat yourself. Top this off with an incredible score by Hans Zimmer, whenever possible, and you have a sensory experience that you won’t soon forget.

Overall, “F1 the Movie” is a thrilling ride that lures you in with the promise of high-speed cars, but leaves you breathless in your seat with the exhilarating tension and drama that makes the movie sing. The main four actors have an interesting dynamic that makes it more than just about cars, though it could have used a lot more polish. Despite its flaws, this is an exceptional film that delivers the feel of being on the racetrack – with a gripping bromance that we can totally get behind.

“F1 the Movie” will drive by theatres this 26th June.