Review by James Lindorf
The Art of Racing in the Rain, a dramedy set in Seattle and the world of minor league F1 racing, is the latest film from Director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn). Mark Bomback adapted Garth Stein’s 2008 New York Times Bestseller of the same name. It stars Milo Ventimiglia as Denny Swift, a talented driver with as much bad luck as talent. Kevin Costner is the voice of Denny’s best friend Enzo, a racetrack loving Golden Retriever. Things are going well for the pair until life takes a detour. Denny meets Eve, played by Amanda Seyfried, leaving Enzo to adjust to, not only a third wheel, but soon a fourth. The Art of Racing in the Rain’s PG tail of friendship, family and adaptation releases wide on August 9th, 2019.
First off, here is a bit of a warning for diehard racing fans, don’t come here looking for the next Days of Thunder or Rush. While Curtis does feature some racing, this is overwhelmingly about Denny and his life off the track. The races, though often over too quickly, add dashes of excitement to the film thanks to Cinematographer Ross Emery. Emery was also able to showcase the beauty of the Seattle area, as well as the vehicles themselves, during other driving scenes.
While it contains some racing action and humorous moments, the movie at its core is a drama. Having most recently appeared as a main character in the TV show This is Us, Milo Ventimiglia was fully prepared for the role of Denny and the highs and lows life brings him. Ryan Kiera Armstrong (It Chapter Two) was also a natural as Zoe Swift, turning in a strong performance for an adult, let alone someone under the age of 10. Seyfried is good, but she can’t quite mask her charisma, leaving her unable to embody Eve fully. Eve also isn’t a fully realized character. She does things, and things happen to her, but it isn’t about how she responds; it’s about how it affects Denny and Enzo.
Whether it was a directorial mistake or a lack of enthusiasm on his part, Kevin Costner gives the worst performance of the film. Enzo is our point of view character and the comedic element of the film, but the lack of energy from Costner undermines the entire movie. Someone decided that Enzo had to be so wise that he would never get too emotional. He would always know what to give to his humans. It was up to them to listen.
The Art of Racing in the Rain may be bereft of surprises, but it was able to remain touching, due to the performances of Ventimiglia, Seyfried, Armstrong, and a couple of adorable dogs. Curtis and everyone else should be commended on their handling of illnesses, showing that people aren’t their disease, that they still have dreams and desires just like they did before their diagnosis. The Art of Racing in the Rain is an entertaining 109 minutes that will leave more than a few people in the audience teary-eyed.
