F1 (2025) review

Apple Studios' response to Sony's 2023 Gran Turismo (based on their popular video game franchise) involves professional racer (and loner) Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) being approached by his old pal Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), who asks him to drive for his Formula One team APXGP which has been on a losing streak - Sonny agrees, but he clashes with rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and his reckless antics aggravate the rest of the group.  The framework for this summer movie couldn't possibly be less inventive and all of its 'moves' are easily anticipated - Gen Z's Joshua fights with Boomer Sonny due to their age gap, Sonny wants to teach the kid a lesson in humility, Joshua crashes his vehicle, Sonny romances technical director Kate (Kerry Condon), Ruben and the other financiers fret about hemorrhaging cash, Sonny takes his turn in the hospital, etc. - although it makes it clear that it's mainly an exercise in Style.  Director Kosinski seems to have tiny cameras absolutely everywhere so the movie looks glossy and spastic, and Pitt, Bardem and Condon provide a small amount of human warmth to balance out the fetishization of technologically advanced car-rockets.  Considering the times we live in and all the locations it was shot at (including Abu Dhabi), it's intentionally apolitical ... and unexpectedly existential.