Brad Pitt’s racing flick, F1: The Movie, fails to deliver strong female characters despite its diverse optics. A high-profile actress was cut from the final edit, and the women present are relegated to sidelines.
The film, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver returning for one last shot at glory, seemed poised for inclusion with its multicultural cast, including a female technical director and a diverse team. However, this promise falls flat, with Kerry Condon’s Kate, the technical director, struggling to make an impact despite being in a senior role.
Condon’s character is shown as brilliant but inept, abandoning her concept of a car design only for Brad Pitt’s Hayes to magically fix it. The film’s portrayal of women in F1 fails to pass the Bechdel Test, relying on men’s successes and struggles rather than exploring the unique experiences of female characters.
The absence of strong, layered female characters is even more notable given that actress Simone Ashley, who was initially set to play a key role, was cut from the final edit. Director Joe Kosinski insisted there were multiple storylines left on the cutting room floor, but her conspicuous removal highlights the film’s shortcomings in representation.
While F1: The Movie has its enjoyable moments, it ultimately disappoints with its failure to deliver competent female characters and reinforces stereotypes about women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Source: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/we-need-to-talk-about-women-in-f1-the-movie-/10733910