Movie review: ‘The Art of’ doggerel

There’s a lot of auto racing in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

There’s a fair amount of rain in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

There’s not a lot of art in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

There is a lot of a talking dog in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” More accurately, the dog verbalizes what he is thinking, or what humans might think he is thinking.

It’s been done many times before. The Internet Movie Database lists 258 animated and live-action films with talking dogs. With “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” think the interior monologue of “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco” (1996) rather than the cute pooch to pooch conversations of “Lady and the Tramp” (1955).

In the romantic drama, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia) is an aspiring sports car racer whose best friend is his golden retriever Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). The dog is named after Enzo Ferrari (1898-1988), racing car driver, racing team founder and scion of the Ferrari automobile marque.

When Denny meets Eve (Amanda Seyfried), everything changes for Enzo the pet dog. He loses his alpha dog status when Denny and Eve meet, marry and have a baby girl named Zoe.

We know that everything changes for Enzo because the pet dog tells us about it ad nauseam. Enzo also filters just about everything else that happens to Denny, Eve and whatever else is going on, including the sports car races on TV that the dog enjoys.

That’s the problem with “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” It’s a structural problem. It’s the old script-writing faux pas of telling about the action instead of showing it. This generally doesn’t work with the notable exception of the plays of William Shakespeare and director Louis Malle’s “My Dinner with Andre” (1981), where Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn sit across a table at a posh New York City restaurant and yak at each other to great delight.

There’s no such delight in the nasal, gravelly voice of Kevin Costner (Oscar recipient, director, picture, “Dances with Wolves,“ 1991). Costner is actually OK as the voice of Enzo. It’s just that there’s so much of Enzo’s voice.

Moreover, Enzo’s interior monologue is not particularly interesting or observant, save for the philosophical mumbo-jumbo of the title and racing car driver strategies.

Simon Curtis (“Goodbye Christopher Robin,” 2017; “My Week with Marilyn,” 2011) directs “The Art of Racing in the Rain” with a gentle touch.

Mark Bomback (“War for the Planet of the Apes,” 2017; “Insurgent,” 2015 “The Wolverine,” 2012; “Unstoppable,” 2010) wrote the screenplay, keeping intact the pooch POV of author Garth Stein, on whose book the film is based.

The talking dog trope distances the moviegoer and detracts from the inherent emotional impact in the admittedly moving story of “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

Fido, or any cute and loyal dog, can say more with his eyes and face than words, as does the dog (or dogs) playing Enzo in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” The golden retriever is so wonderful you may want to go to the nearest animal rescue center.

Amanda Seyfried (“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” 2018; “Les Miserables,” 2012; “Dear John,” 2010; “Mamma Mia!,” 2008; “Mean Girls,” 2004), originally from Allentown, is fine in a supporting role, which is small even by supporting role standards. Her sunny smile, big eyes and cheerful voice provide many bright spots.

Milo Ventimiglia (three-time Emmy nominee, lead actor, “This Is Us,” 2016-2019) is good as the race-car driver and devoted dad. His screen presence is that of a Bruce Springsteen meets Al Pacino.

Kathy Baker is memorable as Trish the mother-in-law. Martin Donovan is one-dimensionally peevish as Maxwell the father-in-law. Ryan Kiera Armstrong is the young daughter, Zoe.

“The Art of Racing in the Rain” proves the adage that an actor never should appear in a film opposite a child or dog, as the child or dog will upstage the actor and steal the scene.

Dog lovers and dog owners will love “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” Enzo the dog is in the winner’s circle. I just wish he wouldn’t be so doggone talkative.

“The Art of Racing in the Rain,” MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give “parental guidance.” May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.) for thematic material. Genre: Drama, Comedy; Run Time: 1 hr., 49 mins. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is the first 20th Century Fox movie to be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures after Disney acquired Fox.

Box Office, Aug. 16-18: A bunch of unknowns in the raunchy comedy, “Good Boys,” opened at No. 1, with a so-so $21 million, toppling the reigning Hollywood box-office champ Dwayne Johnson, ending the two-week-straight No. 1 run of “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” dropping one place to No. 2, with $14.1 million, $133.7 million, three weeks.

3. “The Lion King” stayed in place, $11.9 million, $496.1 million, five weeks. 4. “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” $10.5 million, weekend; $16.2 million, since Aug. 13 opening. 5. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” dropped three places, $10 million, $40.2 million, two weeks. 6. “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” $9 million, opening. 7. “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” dropped three places, $8.5 million, $33.9 million, two weeks. 8. “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” dropped three places, $7.6 million, $114.3 million, four weeks. 9. “Blinded by the Light,” $4.5 million, opening. 10. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” dropped four places, $4.4 million, $16.8 million, two weeks.

Unreel, Aug. 23:

“Angel Has Fallen,” R: Ric Roman Waugh directs Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Piper Perabo and Jada Pinkett Smith in the action film. A Secret Service Agent is framed for the attempted assassination of the president of the United States. He must track down the real threat.

“Ready or Not,” R: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett direct Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien and Henry Czerny in the horror film. A bride is forced to play a sinister game by her in-laws.

Two popcorn boxes out of five popcorn boxes.