A FASTER HORSE

David Gelb (Jiro Dreams of Sushi) tackles another venerable, beloved, and long-standing institution: the Mustang, crown jewel of the Ford fleet. Only this institution is in turmoil. As the fiftieth anniversary of the Mustang approaches and the car industry struggles through the deepest trough of the financial crisis, Ford launches a redesign. Now the jobs of workers at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, the expectations of the thousands of Mustang devotees, and the livelihood of the city of Detroit are all placed squarely on the shoulders of Dave Pericak. As chief program engineer, he will guide the 2015 Mustang from assembly floor to showroom—if only he can get that vibration out of the steering wheel.

Masterfully crafted with gorgeous cinematography throughout, A Faster Horse wonders aloud how an American icon can be adapted for changing times. Gelb cuts in a rigorous, high-energy look at the history of Ford and the emotional connection many have to the definitive muscle car—a chassis cool enough for Steve McQueen—moving the film beyond a car lover’s documentary to a resonant examination of American ingenuity, workmanship, and resilience.

—Arthur Ryel-Lindsey