The Art Of Racing In The Rain

Years prior, Denny buys a puppy, immediately bonding with young Enzo. Denny divides his time between teaching auto racing and caring for Enzo, while also pursuing a career as a race driver. A year later, Denny meets Eve at the supermarket and they begin to date.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

After Denny and Eve marry the following year, Eve's mother, Trish, is supportive, but her father, Maxwell, doesn't fully approve of Denny due to his career as a race driver. Eve becomes pregnant. On Christmas Day, Denny receives an invitation to drive in the 24 Hours of Daytona in February, which unfortunately takes place close to Eve's due date. She gives birth to daughter Zoë at home with 2 midwives, while the TV in the adjacent room shows Denny racing in Florida, thus missing the birth.

A frustrated Denny goes jogging in the rain with Enzo. Struggling to keep pace in his old age, Enzo attempts to follow Denny across a street but is hit by a car. Denny rushes him to an animal hospital where the vet explains that Enzo is lucky to be alive and may suffer from hip dysplasia in the near future.

Principal photography on the film began on May 9, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia.[8] The auto racing scenes were filmed at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario,[9] with additional on-track scenes filmed at Laguna Seca Raceway near Monterey, California, Pacific Raceways near Kent, Washington, and Mission Raceway Park, 80 km (50 mi) southeast of Vancouver.[10]

Parents need to know that The Art of Racing in the Rain is a very emotional drama told from a dog's point of view. It's based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein and uses racing analogies to explain how to steer through life's most difficult challenges. That metaphor may connect with teens, but it will likely be lost on younger kids, who may also be upset by the movie's sadder scenes. Spoiler alert: It's not just a dog who dies in this movie, but also the loving mother of a young child, who first suffers a prolonged illness and is shown bald, weak, and vomiting. While the film suggests some beautiful ways to think about death and says that there's nothing to fear, you're still going to cry. Fears of parental separation could also arise for some kids: The villains here are the grandparents who "just want what's best" for their 8-year-old granddaughter, and they use their money, false allegations, and the court system to take her away from her dad. All of that said, the film has fantastic messages about the bumpy road of life, and it shows why dogs are such wonderful support animals. Milo Ventimiglia stars, with Kevin Costner as the voice of his loyal dog, Enzo.

Families can talk about what the title of The Art of Racing in the Rain means. How can we "create our own conditions" so that when life "rains," it's just rain and not dangerous and slippery? How did Denny apply that to his own life? How does he demonstrate integrity?

Denny's passivity in the first half of the novel sets up a chain of events from which Denny spends the second half of the novel extricating himself, all the while affirming his love for his family. But the reader isn't fooled. When things with the in-laws get ugly, Denny is surprised but the reader isn't. We saw that train coming. There's no question that the precocious teenage girl will reappear; it's just a matter of when. And by the time policemen and lawyers arrive in the later chapters, readers may feel that they've stumbled into another novel altogether.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

Denny is left to grapple in a fight with Eve's parents, Maxwell and Trish, over custody of Zoë. Maxwell and Trish believe they can provide a better life for their granddaughter, and they see Denny as irresponsible, given his unreliable racing schedule and his low-paying job working at a car shop.

Enzo steps in for Denny when he can't be around; he serves as Eve's symbolic link to Denny when he's off racing and her guard when she's frightened by her illness. He's like a living, breathing security blanket, but way cuter.

Of all of his doggy family members, Denny is the one that started it all for Enzo. Without Denny, Enzo wouldn't be part of a family, he wouldn't have such a love of racing or television, and he wouldn't even be named Enzo.

During this time, Denny is offered a job in Italy testing and racing new prototypes for Ferrari. He tells them he cannot leave the state or accept such a job because of all that is going on in his life. The man gives him his business card and tells him he understands and if things should change to give him a call.

Eight years pass and Denny and Zoe are living in Italy. A man and a boy are introduced to Denny who is in full racing gear. The father speaks for the boy and says his son is a big fan. He was wondering if Denny would give the boy an autograph. Denny agrees to and asks the boys name. He is Enzo. Denny smiles and tells the father the boy reminds him of an old friend. The father and boy thank Denny and are ready to leave. Denny stops them and gives the father his number. He tells him that when his son is ready, he will train the boy. The father is touched and thanks Denny.

If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (May)

The storyline follows the racing career and family life of a racecar driver, all told through the eyes of his loyal dog, Enzo. The book is a quick, yet nevertheless powerful read that we recommend enjoying before watching the movie. 041b061a72