The Art of Racing in the Rain

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" is a entrancing and sentimental film that provides a unique perspective through a rather unexpected protagonist -- a charming golden retriever named Enzo, who belongs to Denny, a talented and dedicated race car driver. My sister and I watched this film together, and the moment it graced the netflix dashboard with its image, I knew I was going to thoroughly enjoy every second of it. Disclaimer *spoilers ahead*

The movie begins by showing a glimpse of Denny racing followed by a scene where he visits the dog centre and meets Enzo for the first time. They immediately bond and from the start, Enzo and Denny have a very special relationship, filled with trust and happiness. As Enzo was frequently around Denny, he grew up near the racetrack, and was naturally a big fan of cars. He loved to sit and watch Danny race for hours on end, as if he was enjoying it through Denny. A year later, Denny stumbles accross a girl named Eve, who he met at a supermarket. They instantly had chemistry and dated very soon after. He proposed the following year, and they got married. As much as Eve loved Denny dearly, her parents weren’t too keen on the prospect of their daughter marrying a race-car driver. At first, Enzo had his suspicions on Denny’s lover, and soon jealousy crept in as Enzo was upset at the lack of attention Denny was giving him. Nevertheless, Enzo gave in and grew quite fond of Eve. Later in the movie, we find out Eve became pregnant. She gives birth to a daughter -- Zoë. 

Soon after, Denny had grown incredibly busy with his racing career and is often away from home. As much as Enzo was happy for him, he often felt lonely. At this time, Eve had also fallen ill, more specifically, diagnosed with brain cancer. By the time Eve realised the grave danger she may be in, it was already too late. Eve passes away in a sentimental scene with Enzo, where she claims she is no longer afraid of death. Eve’s parents were furious due to the lack of availability Denny was, to not even notice his wife’s condition. They demanded he were to give custody of Zoë to them immediately. As Denny visits their house to try negotiating with them, it ended with him storming out and accidentally pushing Maxwell, Eve’s father, who reports the incident as an act of assault. Denny was desperate to win the case, or he had to face a three-month jail sentence, along with loss of custody. 

During this time, Denny is offered a brilliant job in Maranello, where he gets to test cars for none other than Ferrari. He realised he couldn’t accept the job in the circumstances he was in, but reassured them he would surely join if he won the case. At the end, Denny manages to win the court case due to the confession of Maxwell’s wife, who felt guilty on the situation. Soon later, Enzo’s health begins to progressively get worse and he is beginning to get old. Denny soon notices this, and tries to fulfil Enzo’s last wish, which was to drive him around the race track. A beautiful scene that definitely made me very emotional, as Enzo and Denny sit together and Enzo beams of joy as he sticks his tongue out of the car and expresses his gratitude to Denny and his incredible life. Fast forward a few years later, Denny has officially made it to the biggest racing stage - Formula 1, where he races for Scuderia Ferrari and lives in Italy with Zoë. The movie ends with a scene of a boy running to get an autograph from Denny, and when Denny asks for the boy’s name, he responds with Enzo. Denny’s face lights up and he slowly smiles.

This film transcended the typical racing movie genre for me. I loved the captivating storyline and the emotional connection it fosters with Enzo from just the first 10 minutes of the movie truly warmed my heart. More than a mere companion, the movie beautifully illustrates the profound role a dog plays as a true friend. As Enzo grew to mirror Denny’s pursuit of passion, but it also delves deeper, revealing the obstacles and valuable life lessons he had to endure. It’s a touching reminder that life isn’t just about speed, it’s about cherishing your time with loved ones. (PS: The temptation to not immediately beg my parents for a dog was almost impossible.)