[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

As I knew nothing about the life of Enzo Ferrari and the origins of his racing company and associated brand of luxury sports cars, and enjoy motor racing films, particularly Le Mans, Grand Prix, and Speed Racer, the trailer for Ferrari enticed me to watch it at the cinema, something I now regret.

Michael Mann's Ferrari is a visually stunning and impeccably crafted biopic that brings the world of 1950s motorsport to life with breathtaking authenticity. The production design and costumes immerse you in the era, from the sleek, stylish cars to the finely tailored suits that reflect both the glamour and grit of Enzo Ferrari?s world.

As you would expect from a Michael Mann film, it's visually impressive from the design to the photography. The cinematography captures the intensity of his personal and professional struggles with striking compositions and a rich, moody colour palette that enhances the film's dramatic weight. At the centre of it all, Adam Driver delivers a commanding performance as Ferrari himself, embodying the legendary figure with quiet intensity and emotional depth.

Beyond its compelling drama about the two elements - personal and business - of Enzo Ferrari's life, Ferrari truly comes alive in its thrilling race sequences, which are executed with pulse-pounding precision. The sound design and cinematography work in tandem to create an exhilarating sense of speed and danger, making every moment on the track feel visceral and immersive, one of those films where watching it with high-quality headphones providing Dolby Atmos sound really helped keep me engaged.

Director Michael Mann balances these high-octane scenes with a nuanced exploration of Ferrari's complex life, resulting in a film that is both emotionally engaging and technically masterful. It's a riveting, stylish, and expertly made piece of cinema that lingers long after the credits roll.

Almost the entire third act focuses on the Mille Miglia, an endurance race of, as the name suggests, 1000 miles on Italy's public roads over the course of a couple of days. At this juncture, Ferrari is almost a ruin and is banking on (pun intended) a good showing from at least one of the five cars he has entered, into boosting sales from the commercial branch of his company. What follows is occasionally humorous, once shocking, and utterly compelling. This section of the film is a tour de force piece of filmmaking by a director at the top of his game.

Unless I found a cheapish 4K Ultra HD release in a sale, I don't think I would have watched it if I hadn't access to someone's NOW TV account while I was in hospital (a previous patient had left the iPad logged into their account), so I took the opportunity to watch a film i wish I had seen at the cinema; it's now on a growing list of ones to buy and watch at home on a 55" OLED TV with Dolby Atmos.