Through his bond with his owner, aspiring Formula One race car driver Denny, golden retriever Enzo learns that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life.
When you look at your pet, what do you see? Someone who shares the same interest as you? Someone who is your best friend and always offers their heads to pat when you are feeling down? We all feel that our pets understand us. We feel that their comprehension of the events that are unfolding around them rivals our own. We humanize them so that we may have a friend in them. They are there, through the good times and the bad. They are family. The movie adaptation of Garth Stien’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain” portrays this well as aspiring Formula 1 driver, Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), and an old dog that loves new tricks, Enzo, voiced by Kevin Costner, work their way through life learning from each other and the world around them.
Recently, films where pets were at the center of the story, didn’t hold much emotional weight. Yes, they were good for children but they didn’t hold anything for a wider audience. It has been a long time since something like “Shiloh” or “Air Bud” has graced the screen, captured a wide audience and took hold of their heartstrings. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” does this.
I never thought I needed a film where Kevin Costner voiced a wise Golden Retriever but afterward, I couldn’t imagine not having one. There are films where you just can’t see any other actor playing that role and giving that kind of performance, almost like the role was made for them. This is one of those times. Enzo is wise beyond his dog years and the tidbits of information he gives throughout the film will impact young and old alike. I only wish everyone had that voice of reason and sympathy to help them throughout their life. Milo Ventimiglia plays Denny perfectly and brings the emotion that he has had through past projects like “Heroes” or “This Is Us,” front and center. Amanda Seyfried plays Eve, and refreshingly, the character is not a side plot or one that is just used to push forward another character. She gives balance to the story and challenges both Denny and Enzo.
Sniffles seemed to ripple through the theater as you were met with incredibly good times and incredibly hard times. If films had sponsors, Kleenex would be perfect for “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” When the lights came up and people filed out of the theater, you could hear things like “I need more tissues” or “I went through five tissues in the first half!” It’s a tearjerker for sure.
Now available on Digital HD and on Blu-ray and DVD November 5th
