The Art of Racing in the Rain

... every now and then, whether we will admit it or not, we all need to watch such a film. If all you watch are Christopher Nolan and Ingmar Bergman films, you will eventually find yourself staring glassy eyed into space, drinking heavily, and wondering, in the words of the 70s band Chicago - "Does anybody really know what time it is?".

It's the story of Denny, an average Joe with a rather unique occupation - teacher of race car driving and an aspiring race car driver himself. What makes the story even more unique is the viewpoint - a story told in flash back by Denny's dog Enzo as is he is dying of old age in Denny's arms, starting from the time Denny adopted him as a puppy, to Denny's marriage to Eve, to the birth of their daughter, and everything that came in between and after.

Kevin Costner does a good job of narrating for Enzo. The pup makes the movie, and the actors don't try to get in the way. It is all about loyalty, determination, grieving, fear of abandonment, and friendship. But I do disagree with some reviewers here. I don't think I'd let a kid under ten see this. It gets pretty heavy at points. And a stuffed zebra has a scene that is as surreal as the Twilight Zone episode I saw as a kid with a bunch of mannequins calling out "Marsha!" to a terrorized woman locked in a department store at night. I saw that over 50 years ago and it still scares me. But I digress.

I'd recommend this when you just want a watch a film with admirable characters acting admirably in response to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. But there is one hissable villain just to give the film a little balance. I'd recommend it.

I knew I would love this movie, I've been a dog lover my whole life but this story wasn't just about a dog named Enzo but rather about life and all the ups and downs we experience, the highs and lows, losing loved ones, hard relationships...and through it all dogs are always there for us to provide comfort, a friendly bark, to lend a paw, to make us smile even on our toughest days. I'll never know whether they pick us or we pick them it's just one of those things that's meant to be and you find each other along the way. They don't live as many years as we do, but they live a full life while they are here and each one has a story. Thank you for telling Enzo's story.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of those films that rips your heart out of your chest, dangles it in front of your face, and ultimately gives it back to you. It is a very faithful adaptation of the original novel, with some changes that I personally thought were for the better. Milo Ventimiglia and Kevin Costner bring their A games to this film. You can feel a very strong connection between their characters Denny and Enzo the dog respectively. Though this film isn't the most groundbreaking out there, it is a very well-made, heartfelt retelling of an incredibly heartwarming story.

I just got out of watching The Art Of Racing In The Rain

A seriously emotional movie for me, as I had to have my beloved family dog Rocky, put down on Monday, I knew I would cry watching this, and I did.

It is not what you think it is. It is not a racing movie, nor is it a children movie about a mischievous dog, its about the people and their relationships told through the eyes of the dog, voiced beautifully by Kevin Costner.

It has been 13 years since Milo Ventimiglia starred in Rocky Balbo, yet every time he smiles that crooked smile, I'm reminded of Sly. Amanda Seyfried puts in a touching performance whilst Martin Donovan is simply a guy you will hate.

This is a movie that is all heart, I laughed and cried watching it.

My thoughts:

The Art of Racing in the Rain is beautifully and sensitively directed by Simon Curtis, who deftly orchestrates the poignant moments with humor.

Milo Ventimiglia's "This is Us" fans will recognize and love his Denny Swift; he was perfectly cast in this role.

I especially love how the movie showed the evolution of Eve & Enzo's relationship.

Kevin Costner is not the first person I'd think of to be the inner voice of a dog, but he does a great job.

This movie is a gift to anyone who's ever owned or loved a dog.