Movie of The Week Review: Gran Turismo
"If you podium at Le Mans, then you become immortal."
PG-13 2023-Sports/Action, Run Time: 2hrs 14mins
Can Be Seen On: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home
Movie Short Summary: The true story of a team of unlikely underdogs -- a working-class gamer, a former race-car driver, and an idealistic motorsport executive -- who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.
“Vroom, Vroom, I’m in me mom’s car”, a fake million dollars to the person who understands this reference! Hint it is a classic Vine. Welcome back watcher! This past week’s movie was 2023’s action, racing movie Gran Turismo! It is based on a true underdog story of a gamer in love with racing that is given the chance to live out his dream when he wins a contest to join the GT Academy. This was my first watch and I can say it was definitely worth it!
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
Trivia Question #1: Although this is based on a true story, which character is completely fictional?
(answers at bottom of the review)
You don’t have to be a racing fan to fall in love with this film. I mean it is action packed throughout the entire film and filled with such incredible minute detail about racing. It made me respect how much the drivers have to go through as well as as the factors that are accounted for when being behind the wheel from wind conditions, heat inside the car, or having the strength and stamina to handle the wheel going at such high speeds and more. The beginning although slow, I felt was completely necessary to help build the world of racing as well as the simulation game, Gran Tursimo itself showing how meticulous the work is that was put into it from testing all the cars, recording sounds of the engines, and uploading all the measurements of parts and components, etc. The audience then follows Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), a marketing executive help create the GT Academy program with Nissan, that takes the best Gran Tursimo video game players across the world to train them to become real drivers. The only stipulation Nissan has since they are taking this chance on something as dangerous and unprecedented is to have a qualified Chief Staff Engineer. After being laughed at and been told no by so many people, the last person on his list being Jack Salter (David Harbour), a former racer turned mechanic, who is tired of being surrounded by pretentious drivers who lack skill but make up for it through money. This pretty much puts the plot in motion as they then search for the best talent across the world including our main character, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a gamer with working in retail and no goals in life at least according to his father who keeps pushing him towards an actual career instead of so pipe dream.
If I had to put a range on the acting I would say fine to good depending on the scene. Orlando Bloom seemed kind of rusty and overacting in the beginning of the movie especially when trying to convince Jack to come on board with the idea. It just seemed like he was trying hard at times and then Archie’s family were ehh for most of the movie except during the crash scene. It was great to see the pure shock of witnessing their son almost die while not being there to help in anyway. The scream and dismay of both parents breaking down not knowing what will happen with their son as well as hearing about the death of a spectator. Then Archie’s best moment was in the hospital just waking up as Jann is staring at Jack and Danny as they have to tell him about the accident and what happened with his car due to the wind. Then they have to break it to him that a spectator was hit and killed from the car flipping out of the track which sends him spiraling into a dark place having to face the fact he indirectly killed someone. It was a moving and real moment as he wanted to push everyone away to be alone brought on by a waterfall of tears that makes the audience think he might have raced for the last time. The movie also did an incredible job with helping the audience visually throughout the races letting you know the times, laps, and position that Jann was in while he was racing not only in the real cars driving but simulations as well. I thought it was a great idea when Jann was playing the game to have the digital car appear around to him to make it more engaging with the audience instead of just panning back and forth from him to the screen.
Trivia Question #2: What team did Jann’s father play professional soccer for?
First I want to say that I love David Harbour and his ability to alway act stern, standoffish, and direct like a dad you don’t want to disappoint but always one that will be there for you. However this man just doesn’t have range. If I were to compare his range it would be that of Ben Simmons for all you basketball fans out there. He plays this type of role across every single movie and it works again and again but hard to congratulate him on his performance when it is the same one over and over. Outside of the wonderful story and the great detail, what was missing was a true rivalry for Jann. We got it with Matty at first but that was sort of half assed as they didn’t butt heads too much throughout the initial competition but he was just a dick. I wanted someone that Jann could chase after and really over come in the final stage. Yes they attempted to do it with Cappa but that was more Jack’s angst with them being his former team rather than Jann’s. It is a rather small critique but nonetheless one I think could have taken this film to another level. This movie did a great job of making me respect racers and how it really is more of a skill and talent than you think with all the training that goes into it which made thoroughly enjoy it more.
Trivia Question #3: What is the name of the Kenny G song Jann always listened to throughout the film?
OFFICIAL SCORE: 8.3/10
This movie had an incredible story, solid acting, and fast paced action that kept the audience engaged and rooting for Jann to over come all of his obstacles and prover everyone wrong including his own father. I love the growth and bond of Jann and Jack’s relationship as he really takes on a true mentor role being there for Jann through the crash as well as the ups and downs in his pursuit for a license and podium finish at Le Mans. It’s a very heart warming story that I personally didn’t think I would like at first but the small details of the film won me over. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is or isn’t interested in racing as it wasn’t overly complicated or geared towards people who love cars but tells an underdog tale that can make you fall in love with them.
TRIVIA ANSWERS:
#1-Jack Salter (David Harbour) is not based on a real person.
#2-Coventry City F.C.
#3-Songbird.