The Art of Racing in the Rain

My thoughts:

The Art of Racing in the Rain is beautifully and sensitively directed by Simon Curtis, who deftly orchestrates the poignant moments with humor.

Milo Ventimiglia's "This is Us" fans will recognize and love his Denny Swift; he was perfectly cast in this role.

I especially love how the movie showed the evolution of Eve & Enzo's relationship.

Kevin Costner is not the first person I'd think of to be the inner voice of a dog, but he does a great job.

This movie is a gift to anyone who's ever owned or loved a dog.

I hadn't read the book that it is based on, so only armed with the knowledge of a short synopsis, I really didn't know what to expect. It was actually quite good.

I thought listening to Kevin Costner drone on for a couple hours as a dog's inner monologue would be tedious, but the nuggets of wisdom peppered with the occasional witticism provided ample entertainment. I often felt like I was watching the "Thoughts of Dog" Twitter account played out in cinematic form. I absolutely loved both Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried in this. The daughter was also played especially well by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. The relationships between themselves and also with Eve's (Seyfried) parents was perhaps a bit banal at times, but overall was still believable and endearing - although I felt like hitting the dad with my car at several points.

Afterwards, I overheard several people tell the studio rep that they hadn't expected the movie to be a "tear-jerker", and the sobs coming from the gentleman seated next to me seemed to confirm that. However, I found the story to not be overly sorrowful or sad, but inspirational. A guide, if you will, for how to become an exemplary person shown through the filter of a dog's belief that by gaining this knowledge he'll be reincarnated as a human in his next life. (I know it sounds silly, but it was actually quite poignant.)

I didn't know anything about the movie before watching it. As soon as I saw it was about the life of a dog 'Enzo', beautifully narrated by Kevin Costner by the way, I looked at my wife and told her I will probably cry with this movie. When it's about animals I have difficulties not to cry when something 'happens' to the animal, and that even though I know it's just a movie. And oh boy did I cry with this movie, and so did my wife. At one point we were both balling without ending. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry again, and that's a day later. It's the kind of movie that reminds you previous dogs you owned, or the dogs you have at this moment. I watched it with Lou, my lovely poodle that I rescued, sitting in my lap, and Jef, my Andalucian waterdog, cuddling next to me. You can't help it to compare things from the movie with your actual life and pets. The story itself is not flawless, but it doesn't matter as it is too beautiful to stand still at those little imperfections. The relationship and endless love between Milo Ventimiglia and his dog Enzo is something a lot of dog owners will recognize. I love my dogs so much it hurts just thinking one day I will have to let them go, but knowing they had a good life eases the pain. The Art Of Racing In The Rain is a movie for animal lovers, a movie where you will need a box of tissues. I loved it, but I wonder if I could watch it again.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of those films that rips your heart out of your chest, dangles it in front of your face, and ultimately gives it back to you. It is a very faithful adaptation of the original novel, with some changes that I personally thought were for the better. Milo Ventimiglia and Kevin Costner bring their A games to this film. You can feel a very strong connection between their characters Denny and Enzo the dog respectively. Though this film isn't the most groundbreaking out there, it is a very well-made, heartfelt retelling of an incredibly heartwarming story.

I have never reviewed a movie before but having seen this film on its opening day, not the kind of movie I'm normally attracted to (I booked it really for my wife as it was our wedding anniversary yesterday) I was so surprised how much I really enjoyed it! It has something for everyone to connect with. Beautifully put together and performed. But be warned, this is one moving movie. Even the toughest of guys will need the Kleenex nearby. My face was wet! Just as you have managed to hold back one tear-jerker response, along comes another. A real emotional roller-coaster which leaves you in awe at the end. Best real movie I've seen in a long time. Kevin was amazing. So was Amanda and Milo. Real characters with real feeling. You should all be so proud of this. My friend read the book and said it had the same affect. Clearly you have done the book due justice. Just Fabulous!