Review
JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES
The Art Of Racing In The Rain is relentless, heartbreaking and will leave you in floods of tears
THE ratings information for this film say there are “ . . . scenes of emotional upset” and it opens with a man walking into his house to find his dog dying on the floor.
Safe to say The Art Of Racing In The Rain is on a mission to make Marley & Me seem like Porky’s.
2
It is a relentless, unforgiving heartbreaking film about a man’s relationship with his Labrador through all the highs and – actually scratch that – just the lows of life.
Oh, did I mention the film is seen through the eyes of the dog, who has the conscience of Kevin Costner, sounding like he’s necked a bottle of Hennessy and a carton Marlboro Red?
Milo Ventimiglia plays Denny, a racer driver who somewhat irresponsibly buys a puppy from a farm despite spending his entire life at a racetrack and we follow the pair through friendship, love and tragedy.
Here, Costner’s Look Who’s Talking-style monologue begins in earnest, offering observations about life so ridiculous and naff you can’t help but be swept up by it.
2
Costner is both the joke and the saviour of this film that knows exactly what it wants from you – tears and lots of them.
It doubles down on a cute dog reflecting on his devoted life with a kaboom cancer and does not stop until your throat hurts and you can’t talk properly.
It’s hammy, cliched and utterly devastating. It got me. Damn.
The Art Of Racing In The Rain (PG)
★★★☆☆
Topics