“Somewhere, the zebra was dancing.”
Racing Through Emotions: A Dog's Tale of Life on and off the Track

The Art of Racing in the Rain, Simon Curtis's 2019 adaptation of Garth Stein's beloved novel, brings together the worlds of professional racing and canine companionship. With Milo Ventimiglia as aspiring race car driver Denny Swift and Kevin Costner as the voice of his philosophical dog Enzo, the film attempts to merge multiple genres while exploring life's deeper meanings through the unique perspective of man's best friend. Originally developed in 2009 with Patrick Dempsey attached to star, the project ultimately became the first film released by Fox after Disney's acquisition. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we continue the Car Racing series with a conversation about The Art of Racing in the Rain.

A Different Kind of Racing Film

We discuss how The Art of Racing in the Rain diverges significantly from traditional racing films, focusing more on relationships and life lessons than actual racing. We explore how the film's title, while creative, may have set incorrect expectations for viewers seeking high-octane racing action. In our discussion, we examine how director Simon Curtis handles the balance between the racing elements and the more emotional family story.

Narrative Choices and Character Development

We dive deep into the film's narrative structure, particularly questioning the effectiveness of Kevin Costner's voicework as Enzo. We debate the decision to maintain Costner's mature voice throughout the dog's life and discuss how the highly sophisticated vocabulary and philosophical musings of the canine narrator impact the viewing experience. Our conversation explores whether the anthropomorphization of Enzo helps or hinders the story's emotional impact.

Key Discussion Points:

The film's position as both a racing movie and a dog movie
The effectiveness of the racing sequences versus the family drama
The surreal zebra hallucination sequence as a standout moment
The handling of serious themes like illness and custody battles
How the movie handles its metaphysical elements

Final Thoughts

While we acknowledge the film's appeal to certain audiences, we ultimately find ourselves disconnected from its emotional core. We discuss how The Art of Racing in the Rain represents a departure from traditional racing films and debate whether its attempts to blend genres succeed. Regardless, we have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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