F1: The Movie (2025)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on July 6, 2025 @ tonymacklin.net.

One has to get past the shtick of producer Jerry Bruckheimer to get to the talent of the F1: The Movie.

F1: The Movie has an estimated $40 million in product placement. Since Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have bought their way into American culture, of course the final Grand Prix race is in Abu Dhabi.

And since the film was made by Apple Original Films, placement of Apple products is cluttered all through the film. iPhones, Macs, and Apple computers are everywhere. Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) even sleeps in his AirPods Max.

Brad Pitt is a walking Billboard for products.

But he transcends the shtick around him and delivers a terrific performance that is based on credibility. The 61-year-old Pitt allows lines under his eyes that show age, but he still has his patented, boyish charm. He invests his character with intelligence. What a concept.

Also contributing solid humanity to F1: The Movie is Javier Bardem, as the owner of a racing team that is near collapse. He recruits Sonny to try to save his team.

Also important is the character of Josh Pearce (Damson Idris), as a cocky young leader for the team, who resents Sonny. He represents a new breed of personality that depends on social media popularity.

Kerry Cordon effectively portrays Kate, the team's technical director, who comes to understand the independent Sonn

Veteran Hans Zimmer provides a pounding score.

Joseph Kosinski, co-writer and director, deserves credit for making F1: The Movie. It is both exhilarating and human. He also directed Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

F1: The Movie is something of a hodgepodge.

But it's a hell of a hodgepodge.