A sentimental, tear-jerking family drama with a strong hook and a lot of emotional payoff for viewers who like dog-centered stories and earnest life lessons. The premise is charming, but the film’s melodrama and uneven execution may test patience if you want subtlety or realism.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Drama · Romance
Thu · 1h 49m
Director: Simon Curtis
Starring: Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried
Overview
A family dog – with a near-human soul and a philosopher's mind – evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, a race-car driver.
Director
Simon Curtis
Cast
Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried
Curator Review
Verdict
A sentimental, tear-jerking family drama with a strong hook and a lot of emotional payoff for viewers who like dog-centered stories and earnest life lessons. The premise is charming, but the film’s melodrama and uneven execution may test patience if you want subtlety or realism.
Best for
viewers who cry at dog movies
fans of earnest family melodrama
audiences who like inspirational racing stories
people drawn to life-lesson narration and sentiment
Skip if
you dislike heavy-handed emotional manipulation
you want a grounded, naturalistic drama
you are allergic to talking-animal narration
you prefer tightly written sports films over sentimental ones
Overview
The Art of Racing in the Rain is built to make you feel things, and it mostly succeeds by leaning hard into the bond between a family and their dog. The racing metaphor gives the story a clean emotional shape, and Kevin Costner’s narration helps sell the idea that Enzo is not just observing life, but interpreting it with real wisdom and affection.
Worth noting
The film’s appeal is obvious: it is warm, mournful, and designed as a comfort-watch for anyone who loves pets and family dramas. Letterboxd reactions suggest that the emotional beats land, even when the script gets a little obvious or overdetermined.
Bottom line
What holds it back is the same thing that makes it accessible. The movie can feel overly polished and manipulative, with a few melodramatic turns that may feel like it is pushing rather than earning its tears. If you are in the mood for sincere sentiment, it works; if you want nuance, it may feel thin.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Luke Henshaw II (2★) · 927 likes
This dog doesn't go bark bark. This dog goes 🤔🤔
kar 🥀 (3.5★) · 804 likes
honestly bring tissues bc the amount of onions they are cutting its insane
rach (4★) · 789 likes
yep yep i’m crying over another dog movie
Vishwas Verma 🟠🟢🔵 (4★) · 365 likes
Milo Ventimiglia made me as emotional as he did in THIS IS US. Why and how he always picks characters like these. Amanda Seyfried was good too. Kevin Costner as ENZO was the best thing. This film is so good and so beautiful, made me cry.
Arjun Rajput (3.5★) · 302 likes
Enzo baby, you smart. You're very smart. Matter of fact, you're a genius.
Themes
pet companionship, family bonds, grief and loss, marriage and parenthood, racing and competition, memory and narration, loyalty, life lessons
Topics
family drama, tearjerker, dog story, sports metaphor, grief, loyalty, sentimental, voiceover narration, marriage