F1
As much as I love F1, I ended up enjoying in some areas. Like the use of the camera movement in race in a cinematic perspective. The visuals portrayed guiding the viewer how fast and where the driver’s place is. Yet most parts of the movie felt underwhelming and dragging to push the narrative. It does feel like a copy paste to Joseph Kosinski’s Top Gun Maverick character dynamics with Mav and Rooster compared to Sonny and Joshua. As much as the movie wants to portray Sonny a mentor archetype, it fails to execute it otherwise. I despise in a way that they make him look like a savior in this team. Meanwhile his cocky and reckless attitude seems as charismatic and charming according to his plans and strategies.
If this was portrayed in the real life F1 sport. It will result into a “Crashgate” incident, too many penalties and an awful strategy. Sonny Hayes wouldn’t be allowed, it’s considered that he’s retired. I do sound crazy for overlooking onto the rules since I’m a fan of this sport. As much following the behind the scenes while watching the race weekends, realistically i wouldn’t support this team. (their poor social media presence as well lol) Their levels feels more of Aston Martin, Alpine and VisaCash RB (previously Alpha Tauri) than the top RedBull, Ferrari, Mclaren, and Mercedes. In the end it’s just a film that can be enjoyable by most general audiences who have never watched an F1 race.
I feel disrespected as well as to not only parts of how women are portrayed, but some on the portrayal and recreations of events from past drivers. I feel like someone important like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher cannot be the same level as Sonny. Feels disrespectful because it gives off of a “Im better than them back in my day” vibe. As much their crashes are dramatic, a crash from Roman Grosjean was inspired to use for a “dramatic” effect. It’s very much disturbing event that happened on real life to everyone
With the important women working in the sport feels like a joke as well because, they’re independent women and all of a sudden they need a man to make them better at their jobs. It bugs me with the added romance in it feels like, “this man helped me to do well at my job even though he acts like an arrogant driver, i find it hot” stereotype of women in film. I love how Joshua’s mother is portrayed, she doesn’t give into Sonny’s bullshit. Again I may not enjoy it narratively, but I like seeing my drivers on the big screen especially the ones who already left the seat. Does it feel like a love letter to the sport? Not really.