Review by Jennifer Mustoe, Front Row Reviewers
The movie Gran Turismo is based on an unlikely but highly entertaining and touching true story and this movie is and will always be a miracle to me. Why? Because, and I am not making this up, my video game experience is “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong” back in the day, and more recently “Animal Crossing“. I stunk at them all and frankly don’t see video games’ appeal. Add to that, I have never watched a full professional road race for more than a few minutes. I mean, yawn.
But this all changed after seeing Gran Turismo, produced by Columbia Pictures, PlayStation Productions, and 2.0 Entertainment, directed by Neill Blomkamp from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin, and starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Emelia Hartford, Geri Halliwell Horner, Djimon Hounsou, and Josha Stradowski. This film has been a long time in creation, and in my humble but accurate opinion, it has now achieved perfection. Or to coin a phrase from the movie: “Immortal.” Gran Turismo is based on a true story about how Jann Mardenborough, a brilliant, gifted gamer who excelled at playing the PlayStation video game “Gran Turismo”, who yearned to be a professional reace car driver. With a few miracles and some canny marketing on the part of Nissan Motors, Mardenborough achieved his dream. Wait–you mean he began his career as a real-live race car by playing a video game, albeit an amazingly accurate simulated driving video game, created by Polyphony Digital? Yes, this is correct, and is why the story is so unbelievable, but also so entirely enjoyable.
The cast is stellar, something of a pun, I realize. From the first frame, I was completely absorbed and ready to accept and believe this wonderful tale. The best “Gran Turismo” gamers were invited to a competition to find the 10 best who vied for the one spot to become a driver for Nissan, one who would be given the opportunity to become a professional driver in world-class races. Those ten who were chosen had played thousands of hours on the game, and were familiar with all the ins and outs of each track they’d have to compete on. After grueling training on and off the track, Mardenborough is the winner.
Mardenborough plays Jann and performs his role with sensitivity, humor, and grit. He convincingly helps us to believe he was basically a nerdy gamer, popular for his skill at the game, who pursues his dream using playing the sim video game he loves. Jann has setbacks, some pretty horrible experiences, and Mardenborough sells the role. Harbour ripped out my heart and made me laugh and is completely believable as the gamers’ coach. His pep talks to Jann and others are ones I’ll take to heart. They’re golden. Bloom as the wheeler dealer (can’t seem to escape those puns) who convinces the Nissan car company to take a chance and endorse gamers as drivers on a real track is wonderful–the epitome of hard core marketing exec who has a wild idea that could make the car makers a lot of money. Bloom grimaces, pushes, and stays true to his job in advertising. Barnet as the gamer/driver vying for the top spot is charming, all smiles and filled with confidence and we like him a lot, but also not that much. Stradowski as the antagonist has all the markings that role requires: he’s handsome, cocky, and ruthless. He sneers and the audience sneers back. Well, I did. Hartford is a professional driver as well as an actress and this lends a realistic touch that shines through. Horner as Jann’s mother is very believable, especially in a critical moment in the piece. Hounsou as Jann’s father artfully performs his role as the non-supportive parent who then changes into the man we hoped he’d become. Cliché though it may be, I bought it, and yes, got a little teary.
One of the things I loved about Gran Turismo is the effects included. I could feel how it must have been driving those cool but dangerous vehicles. They are so ridiculously fast, the drivers sweat as they drive, the wrenching and look of the gears, the smooth loud buzz of the wheels on the course. And a few horrifying crashes are included. This is a dangerous sport. I could see and feel the experience in a tangible, often entertaining, sometimes terrifying way. It is the epitome of excitement.
Gran Turismo has the same formula as other biopics: an unknown has the chance to make it big, struggles through a myriad of challenges, and finally wins! I mean, we know from the start that Jann will be the chosen driver. But that doesn’t matter. It’s his journey that keeps us engaged, and for me, I gripped the handles of my movie seat, clapped loudly as I said pretty loudly go, go, go! I laughed often and cried a few times. I’m a sucker for this kind of story.
I remember having the same experience watching Rocky–the iconic movie about fictitious Rocky Balboa who went from small-time boxer to a character we hoped would win. Oh how we hoped. This movie made me love boxing for the few hours I watched it. Did this movie inspire me to watch real boxing matches? Nope. But I’ve watched the Rocky franchise again and again.
Same with Gran Torismo. I doubt I’ll ever watch a televised race much less want to attend one. I doubt I’ll ever play “Gran Torismo”, though I may have to change that as my son showed me we actually have this game. One never knows. However, I do know this: I will see Grand Turismo again, on the big screen and once it’s streamed. It is infectious, inspiring, delightful, exciting. All the things.
At the end of the movie, they show the actors on one side of the screen, and the real people they represent. I love that. But it also added some awesome facts that no, I will not disclose. But believe me, it makes the movie, the story, and Jann Mardenborough himself even more amazing. Or as they quote several times in the movie: Immortal.
Gran Torino, directed by Neill Blomkamp from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. Produced by Columbia Pictures, PlayStation Productions, and 2.0 Entertainment.
Gran Turismo official trailer
Gran Turismo trailer
Gran Turismo featurette
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