You know that feeling when you're watching a movie and you can just sense it's going to wreck you? That’s the vibe five minutes into the art of racing in the rain film. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a heart-wrencher. Honestly, if you’ve ever looked at your dog and wondered if they’re actually a philosopher trapped in a furry body, this movie basically validates your entire existence.
It’s narrated by Enzo. He's a Golden Retriever voiced by Kevin Costner, which is a casting choice that feels weirdly right. Costner has that weathered, gravelly "I’ve seen some things" voice that perfectly suits a dog who believes he’s going to be reincarnated as a human. The film, released in 2019 and based on Garth Stein's massive bestseller, tries to juggle two very different worlds: the high-octane, precision-based life of professional race car driving and the messy, unpredictable reality of family life.
Does it work? Mostly. It’s sentimental as hell. Some critics hated it for that. But for anyone who has ever loved a dog or obsessed over a turn at Watkins Glen, it hits a specific nerve.
Not Just a Dog Movie
When people talk about the art of racing in the rain film, they usually lump it in with Marley & Me or A Dog's Purpose. That’s a bit of a disservice. While those movies are great, this one tries to weave in a specific metaphor about control. Milo Ventimiglia plays Denny Swift, a customer-support rep by day and a semi-pro racer by night. Denny is talented. He’s the guy who can feel the grip of the tires through his fingertips.
Enzo watches everything. He’s obsessed with the idea that "your car goes where your eyes go."
This isn't just racing advice. It’s the central philosophy of the story. In the rain, you can’t fight the physics; you have to work with them. You have to be patient. Denny spends the movie trying to apply that racing logic to a life that is falling apart. He deals with a wife (played by Amanda Seyfried) who gets sick, in-laws who are basically villains in cardigans, and a legal battle that feels incredibly suffocating.
The racing footage is actually pretty legit. They used real IMSA drivers and cars, and you can tell. It doesn't have that fake, over-processed CGI sheen that ruins a lot of sports movies. When Denny is out there in the rain, you feel the hydroplaning. You feel the anxiety.
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The Enzo Perspective
Let’s talk about the dog. Enzo isn't a "talking dog" in the Disney sense. He doesn't move his lips. You just hear his thoughts. This is a crucial distinction. It makes the movie feel more like a memory than a cartoon. Enzo views the world through the lens of a documentary he once saw about Mongolian beliefs—that a dog who is "prepared" will be reborn as a man in his next life.
This gives the film a weirdly spiritual undertone.
Enzo spends his days trying to master his "human-ness." He's frustrated by his lack of thumbs. He’s annoyed that he can't speak to defend Denny when things go south. It’s kind of heartbreaking. There’s a scene involving a stuffed zebra that represents Enzo’s internal demons—it’s bizarre and a little trippy, but it works to show that he’s not just a passive observer. He’s a character with an arc.
Why the Critics and Fans Disagreed
The gap between the Rotten Tomatoes critic score and the audience score for the art of racing in the rain film is a mile wide. Critics called it "manipulative" and "shameless."
They aren't entirely wrong. The movie definitely knows which buttons to push to make you cry.
But audiences loved it. Why? Because sometimes you want a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. We live in an era of cynical, meta-commentary films. This movie is the opposite. It’s earnest. It’s about loyalty. It’s about the fact that life is going to throw you into a wall at 120 mph, and you have to find a way to keep the car on the track.
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The "evil in-laws" subplot, featuring Martin Donovan and Geena Rodriguez, feels a bit like a soap opera. They are almost cartoonishly mean. They want custody of Denny’s daughter, Zoe, and they use his racing career against him. It’s a bit much. But in the context of a story told from a dog’s viewpoint, it kind of makes sense. Dogs see things in black and white. You’re either part of the pack or you’re a threat. To Enzo, these people are threats.
Realism on the Track
One thing the film gets right is the technical side of racing. Denny isn't some Formula 1 superstar living in a mansion. He’s a "coach." He spends his time teaching rich guys how to drive their Porsches around a track so he can afford to enter his own races.
That’s the reality for 99% of professional drivers.
The production utilized various tracks, including Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport). The cinematography by Erik Messerschmidt—who did Mank and The Killer—is actually quite sophisticated. He uses low angles to mimic Enzo's eye level, which keeps the viewer grounded in the dog's perspective even during the high-stress human scenes.
The Emotional Toll of the Third Act
If you haven't seen it, brace yourself. The ending of the art of racing in the rain film is a lot. It follows the book closely, which means it doesn't shy away from the inevitable.
But there’s a payoff.
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The final scene, involving a Ferrari and a young driver named Enzo, is the kind of cinematic "full circle" moment that either makes you roll your eyes or sob uncontrollably. There is no middle ground. It’s a beautiful tribute to the idea that the bonds we form—with people and animals—don't just disappear. They shift.
What to Take Away From Enzo’s Journey
If you’re looking for a technical breakdown of racing strategy, this isn't it. If you want a gritty, realistic drama about the legal system, look elsewhere.
This is a movie about the philosophy of endurance.
Enzo teaches us that being a "champion" isn't about winning every race. It's about how you handle the car when the track is slick and you can't see two feet in front of you. It’s about staying in the moment.
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Viewers:
- Watch the racing, not just the drama: Pay attention to the way the camera stays in the cockpit. It’s meant to show Denny's isolation and focus.
- Read the book by Garth Stein: The film is good, but the book goes much deeper into Enzo's "Mongolian" philosophy. It's a faster, punchier read than you’d expect.
- Keep the tissues handy: This isn't a joke. Even if you think you’re "not a dog person," the performance by the various dogs playing Enzo (primarily a dog named Parker) is incredibly expressive.
- Look for the metaphors: Every time it rains in the movie, something significant happens in Denny's life. The rain is the "adversity" he has to learn to drive through without overcorrecting.
The film stands as a reminder that we don't own our dogs; we just get to walk alongside them for a while. It’s a messy, emotional, loud, and ultimately hopeful story that proves that sometimes, the best life advice comes from someone who eats kibble and sleeps on the floor.
To get the most out of the experience, try to watch it without distractions. It’s a movie that requires you to lean into the sentimentality. If you fight it, you’ll hate it. If you go with it, you might just find yourself looking at your own pet a little differently tomorrow morning.