Ford v. Ferrari (2019)

The plight of the middle manager is to be trapped between boss and subordinate, each pulling opposite the other, neither satisfied by your attempts at compromise. FvF's beleaguered conciliator is Carroll Shelby (Damon), who finds himself caught between the suits (including the insecure Ford Jr. and the delightfully smarmy Leo Beebe [Josh Lucas]) and one prickly yet competent driver, Ken Miles (Bale). Through Shelby, we get a peek behind the curtain at the fickle pettiness that both giveth and taketh away the grounds for creative flourishing, and, through Miles, get to experience the true joys of an individual pursuing the heights of his craft. It's here, in the film's surprisingly engrossing racing sequences -- has shifting into second gear ever felt so consequential? -- that director James Mangold finds the magic that has tempted so many to risk life and limb in their need for speed. But this need is also a pathology, one Mangold is less interested in engaging, unfortunately, especially since Miles' story is that of Icarus reborn -- a cautionary tale about getting what you want and realizing it's not enough.

Look out there. Out there is the perfect lap. You see it?

// Blobcat

My favorite films of 2020

The Oscars are over, and I should have posted this yesterday, but here are my Blobscar awards and my ranking of all the 2020 films I saw (as of 4/26/21).