The Art of Racing In The Rain made me cry over and over — but that is all it did. Barely a mediocre movie, however, it did have some good inspirational quotes throughout it.
I was looking forward to seeing The Art of Racing in the Rain for several reasons. The first is that I just love Milo Ventimiglia, I have since Heroes. I also absolutely love dogs. So this seemed like what would be very much a win-win movie for me. Which is what bummed me out when it wasn’t. Sure, it was heartwarming and I cried (a lot) but that was basically because they threw every trick in there to make the audience sob.
Get Ready To Cry
Like I said, this movie is going to make you cry — unless you have no heart. But even though it brings the emotional moments and the feels at what seems like every turn of the corner, the movie loses itself along the way. It feels like they are trying extremely hard to tug at your heartstrings, and not to propel the story itself forward.
Is There A Plot?
I mean yes, technically there is a plot hidden in this movie somewhere. But it is hidden among a dog’s philosophical thoughts and moments that are manufactured to make the audience cry. It feels like this movie purposefully threw in everything that makes people cry and hoped it would mean it is an emotional and successful movie. That is not the case.
Sure, most people will feel something while watching it, and while it isn’t a bad movie, it drags and tells no real story.
Overall Thoughts
The Art of Racing in the Rain is not a great movie. The plot is bogged down by purposeful tearjerker moments. Is The Art Of Racing In The Rain a good movie? No. But is it a bad movie? No. It is very much a mediocre movie that is worth a watch if you love dogs and want to cry. It speaks to the unbreakable bond between man and dog, but if you are looking for a film that does that better, check out Togo on Disney+.
Inspirational Quotes
The best part about this movie was all of the inspirational quotes! There are some that are about dogs, and some that are about racing, and a lot that are about life.
“When I’m in a race car, I’m the creator of my own destiny.”
“The best drivers focus only on the present. Never dwelling on the past, never committing to the future.”
Sure, this is about racing — but it is also about life. Focus on the present – not the past, and not the future.
“Call it fate, call it love, all I knew was I was meant to be his dog.”
Yup. Cue the tears.
“There’s no dishonor in losing the race. There’s only dishonor in not racing because you’re afraid to lose.”
Another great life lesson. Always try. Don’t be afraid to lose.
“At some point, in every race, well, you got to take a risk if you want to win.”
“No race was ever won in the first corner, but many have been lost there.”
This is one of my favorite inspirational quotes of the movie because to me this means to never give up. Hang in there, and keep on racing.
“You can’t give up, not ever. Not for us. Not for anyone. Promise me.”
This is another great quote about never giving up.
“Racing is about discipline and intelligence, not about who has the heavier foot. The one who drives smart will always win in the end.”
I can’t be the only one that thinks so many of these quotes about racing apply to life in general as well.
“To finish the race first, you must first finish the race.”
Another one about never giving up.
“People speak of a will to live. They rarely speak of a will to die. Because people are afraid of death. Death is dark and unknown and frightening. But not for me. It is not the end.”
And then I lost it.
About The Art of Racing In The Rain
Based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is a heartfelt tale narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Through his bond with his owner, Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life.
The film follows Denny and the loves of his life – his wife, Eve (Amanda Seyfried), their young daughter Zoe (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo.
Bring home The Art Of Racing In The Rain today!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.
3 Comments
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I think it is a great movie. It has all the so called tricks to make the audience cry, but it is because movies like this aren’t based on fiction. This is life, and stiff like that happens very frequently. That is why the title is AWESOME. “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, this is not about racing, but about life, and making your way through the shit it throws at you. You should read the book, if you liked the inspirational stuff, the book has tons of it. Very motivational perspective about life.
This critic wouldn’t know a good movie if it slapped her in the face. I don’t care for crying movies…and I don’t care for a lot of other stuff. But this, for me, didn’t stop me from enjoying it or giving it at least 4 out of 5 stars. I think she has daddy issues, or has had some sort of cancer or something that turned her off that badly. Its worth a couple of watches because of the quality of story, production and actors who did a supremely great job.