This dog has a fairly heightened grasp on his surroundings compared to real dogs. Right off the bat, the script makes it clear Enzo is no Doug from Up. So when it comes time for art to gift them with narrative capability, they usually come across as a mix of wisdom adorned with unbridled cosmic knowledge and jokes about how much fun it is to chase squirrels and beg for treats. Mark Bomback’s script, based on the novel by Garth Stein, takes the structure of Marley and Me, which follows the life of a family during the lifetime of their dog, and infuses it with the voice-over that’s supposed to represent the pooch’s inner monologue, à la recent sleeper hits like A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey.Īs much as us humans like to assume our dominant nature over our canine companions, there’s an undeniable part of us that envies them their carefree and zen-like existence. The first intriguing angle is the story’s most gimmicky one-Denny’s story is told entirely through the point-of-view of his loyal Golden Retriever, Enzo, named after Ferrari and voiced with gruff, heartwarming conviction by Kevin Costner. ![]() Just like any other cinematic template, the key is in how it’s executed. Yet as opposed to that show, which embraces its inner (and outer) melodrama, The Art of Racing in the Rain manages to rise above the genre’s confines through three genuine and refreshing additions while serving as a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with melodrama in and of itself. As an actor, Ventimiglia possesses a solemn but determined aura around him that here, as in This is Us, suits the genre. (From that perspective, the casting of Milo Ventimiglia from This Is Us seems like supporting evidence.) As Denny, an exceptional racecar driver who’s hit with one heartbreaking and instantly relatable conflict after another, he spends a decade struggling to raise a family and pursue his career against seemingly insurmountable odds. ( From the publisher.Based on its narrative beats, a strictly superficial reading of The Art of Racing in the Rain could easily frame it as nothing but a shameless melodrama with the sole mission of jerking many a tear from its audience through an endless pounding of manufactured tragedy for its protagonist. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.Ī heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life.as only a dog could tell it. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoe at his side. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. ![]() Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |