Senna

Deb 10 Me 10

This is a movie about auto racing’s Formula One champion Ayrton Senna. The movie is largely compiled from ESPN television footage, some professional film and some home movies. The movie follows the career of charismatic Senna from his early days in kart racing to his rise to world champion. It is a great look at the men and the politics of the world’s richest and most technically advanced motor sport.

I am an avid F1 fan and have been for a long time. I remember this period of racing in the late 80s through 90s with clarity. Deb knows little to nothing about it and Senna is a new name to her. We both loved the movie. That says enough for me, but I’ll add a little more anyway. The only place I felt it lacked was in some F1 101. Some introduction to the basics of the sport, what F1 is, a bit of history, that there are team owners who hire drivers, this is stuff I thought it could use. But apparently I’m not right on target here because without any of that background Deb really liked the movie. For her it wasn’t a story driven movie but a character driven movie. The film’s success was carried more on the personalities involved than what they were up to. Senna is a good looking guy and we see him evolve from a kid with broken English to a fully conversant champion. It's as good a human interest story as you're likely to find.
And the theater was packed! A buddy went to see it on a Thursday afternoon and he said there 50 people in there! I definitely think you ought to see this one.