The Art of Racing in the Rain (film)

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2019 American comedy-drama film directed by Simon Curtis and written by Mark Bomback, based on the 2008 novel of the same name by author Garth Stein. The film stars Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, Kevin Costner as the voice of Enzo and Parker as Enzo, the golden retriever.

It was theatrically released on August 9, 2019 by 20th Century Fox. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $33 million worldwide.

Plot
In Seattle, elderly Golden Retriever Enzo is too weak to move, so awaits his owner and best friend Denny Swift's return. Denny picks him up, promising to always be there for him. Enzo recalls a documentary on a Mongolian belief that dogs reincarnate into men. He knows his memories would vanish, but he vows to find Denny again.

Years prior, Denny gets a puppy after a race. They immediately bond, and he names him after Enzo Ferrari. Denny divides his time between teaching auto racing, caring for Enzo and racing. A year later, Denny meets Eve, they hit it off and, although Enzo disapproves, Denny invites her out. They begin dating, and Eve learns about racing by coming to Denny’s races. Their relationship evolves, which Enzo envies, until one day Eve confides in him her love for Denny, which he accepts. They marry the following year at her parents' mansion. Eve's mother Trish is supportive, but her father Maxwell doesn't approve.

Shortly after, Eve becomes pregnant. At Christmas, Denny is invited to drive in the 24 Hours of Daytona in February, near Eve's due date. Eve insists that he go, as she believes it could open doors for them. She gives birth at home as Enzo watches Denny racing on TV. When Enzo meets baby Zoë, Eve tells her he will always protect her. Days later, when Denny meets Zoë, he discloses his team lost in the last lap, but hopes more races will come.

Eve’s parents visit more frequently, and Maxwell confronts Denny on the dangers of racing, as he is now a father. He swears to always put his safety first, even if he loses every race he enters. A few years pass and Enzo finds family life idyllic, while Denny spends prolonged periods away, racing. He then tells Eve that he was invited to race at Laguna Seca, but is hesitant as he feels he's treading water. Enzo, witnessing this, is shocked that Denny considers quitting racing. Eve falls seriously ill, which Enzo detects through her pores. She is diagnosed with brain cancer, with she and Zoë living with her parents during her treatment. Resigned to her fate, Eve admits to Enzo that she doesn't fear death and passes away as he watches.

Maxwell blames Denny's absence for Eve's illness and demands custody of Zoë, threatening to sue if Denny does not comply. Furious at his insinuation of negligence, Denny attempts to leave, but Maxwell grabs him, prompting Maxwell to fall and allegedly break a rib in the scuffle. He reports to the police 4th-degree assault so Denny gets arrested. If he loses the case, he faces three months incarceration plus permanent loss of custody of Zoë to his in-laws. Denny continues racing and is offered a job in Maranello, testing prototypes for Ferrari. He declines due to his case, but promises he will accept if he wins.

A frustrated Denny goes jogging in the rain with Enzo. Not realizing he's falling behind, when Enzo attempts to follow Denny across a street, he is hit by a car. Denny rushes him to the vet, who explains he is lucky he survived, but may soon suffer from hip dysplasia.

Financially and emotionally exhausted, Denny signs an out-of-court settlement, giving up custody of Zoë for visitation and erasing the assault charge. However, Enzo grabs the legal document and destroys it, so Denny continues to fight. At the trial, Trish admits the truth, so the charges are dropped, Denny accepts the Ferrari job.

When Maxwell and Trish come to Zoë's ninth birthday party, Denny is very forgiving, wanting them in Zoë's life. Over the next few weeks, Enzo's health rapidly deteriorates. Realizing that his best friend is dying, Denny takes him around the track. Lamenting he will not be able to continue on caring for his family in Italy, Enzo accepts the good life he’s had and looks forward to his new life, reincarnated as a human.

Eight years later, Denny, now a successful Formula One driver for Scuderia Ferrari, lives in Italy with Zoë. Introduced to a young fan with golden hair who wants an autograph, he discovers his name is Enzo. Denny smiles, says the boy reminds him of an old friend and suggests he come back when ready to race.

Cast
In addition, in the final scene, Lily Dodsworth-Evans has a brief appearance as a 17-year-old Zoë and former Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella is standing in the Ferrari garage.

Production
In July 2009, Universal Pictures bought the film rights to the prize-winning novel The Art of Racing in the Rain. The project was not able to find a director and came to a halt with Universal Studios. Walt Disney Studios acquired the rights in January 2016. The film adaptation was to be produced by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film production company.

In 2017, screenwriter Mark Bomback revealed that the project was now set up at 20th Century Fox, saying, "I'm hoping the third time's the charm, and I'm optimistic that next year will be when it finally goes into production."

Principal photography on the film began on May 9, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The auto racing scenes were filmed at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, 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.

Dustin O'Halloran & Volker Bertelmann teamed up to compose the film score. Fox Music & Hollywood Records has released the soundtrack.

Release
The film was released on August 9, 2019, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Home media
The Art of Racing in the Rain was released on Digital HD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on October 29, 2019, and on DVD and Blu-ray on November 5, 2019. It was added to Disney+ on September 16, 2022.

Box office
The Art of Racing in the Rain grossed $26.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $7.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $33.8 million.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside The Kitchen, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Brian Banks, and was projected to gross $6–8 million from 2,700 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $3 million on its first day, including $450,000 from Thursday night previews. It ended up debuting to $8.1 million, finishing sixth at the box office. It dropped 46% in its second weekend to $4.4 million, finishing in 10th.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of based on  reviews, and an average rating of. The site's critical consensus reads: "Its heartstring-tugging overtures may be difficult for dog lovers to resist, but The Art of Racing in the Rain is sentimental and contrived." On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 43 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an average 4.5 out of 5 stars and a 72% "definite recommend".

Ed Potton of The Sunday Times gave the film a positive review, observing that the premise "really shouldn't work, yet somehow it steers a course between corniness and barminess. By the end I was crying like a baby, along with many of the other people in my screening, as well as giggling at the preposterousness of it all." Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: "Granted, there aren't a lot of surprises in The Art of Racing in the Rain. If anything, knowing — or at least anticipating — how the film's myriad tragedies will unfold seems to heighten the effect."

Charlotte O'Sullivan of the Evening Standard gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, calling it "strong contender for most ridiculous tearjerker of the year," while Adam Graham of The Detroit News gave the film a "C" on an A to F scale, noting that "this tale of friendship and companionship between man and man's best friend is bogged down in weepy cliches ripped straight from the Art of Making the Audience Cry handbook."