I don't cry at movies unless an animal is badly hurt or dies. Occasionally something else will make me sniffle a little, but normally it's animals in trouble that hits me hard. So I'm greeting the news of a film version of Garth Stein's bestseller The Art of Racing in the Rain with mixed emotions. Love the book, love the story, and Patrick Dempsey (Enchanted) in the lead is a bit of perfect casting. Dempsey's other passion - besides acting - is racing cars, and Denny Swift, the main character in The Art of Racing in the Rain, is a mechanic/race car driver. Dempsey fits the role perfectly on paper. But do I really want to see a film that's guaranteed to make me cry? Sure, I'll just remember to bring a box of tissues with me to the theater. You don't have to be an animal lover or a racing fan to get into the story. The Art of Racing in the Rain is told through the eyes of Enzo, a lab mix who watches TV, loves the weather channel, and is as much into car racing as his human dad. Enzo's one of the most enchanting narrators ever and it'll be interesting to see how they handle telling this tale from his point of view.
Universal Pictures snatched up the film rights and Variety reports Dempsey will produce the film along with Neal Moritz and Joanie Burstein.
(Photo © Richard Chavez)
Comments
I read the book in one gulp on a flight from Seattle to southern CA. My wife and I were returning from a honeymoon in Alaska during which I found out my job would not be waiting for my return.
While losing a job on my honeymoon pales in comparison to what Denny and Enzo deal with in the book, it gave me much to think about– and helped me stick with the idea that the universe tends to unfold exactly as it should.
Go, Enzo. I’ll buy a ticket AND the DVD. I’m currently loaning it out to any friend who wants to read it.
This book was one of the best I’ve ever read. Loved it! Can’t wait to see the movie.
I had heard of this book from a friend, not thru media buzz, and picked it up at the airport during a Dallas-Seattle flight. At least 5 people on that flight stopped to comment on how they’d loved it, so I was intrigued. I quickly fell in love with Enzo and learned to view our human experience in a more profound way. I can’t think of a better person to play Denny, and I will also see the movie and buy the DVD. Can’t wait!
This is one of the best books I ever read. I picked it up for a flight from Albany to Denver and it entranced me for days after.
I’ve driven fast cars; I’ve loved dogs beyond measure. I don’t think you need to do either to treasure this book. It’s a treatise on love, loyalty and putting things that matter at the top of the heap.
Patrick Dempsey is a great choice – can’t wait to see the movie!
By far one of my alltime favorite books, Can’t wait to see the movie, I hope they do it justice.
I wonder who will be the “voice” of Enzo
My son, who enjoys cars and racing as I do, gave me this book as a gift. At first glance of the title I thought he had ordered the wrong book. After reading I realized this is one of the best (racing/family/life) books I have ever read, cannot wait to see the movie
I LOVED this book and i cant wait to see the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love cigarettes, french fries but out of all the things i like, i love this book the MOST!!! looking forward to seeing the movie!!!!
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” is the best book I have ever read. I gave copies out as Christmas presents. I will be the first in line to see the movie and also buy the DVD. What a wonderful story.
I just finished this book- OMG! I instantly fell in love with Enzo, and Denny. I didn’t even realize that there was a movie coming out- when????? I agree with most of these posts that Patrick Dempsey is a PERFECT choice to play Denny. I will be first in line to see the movie!!
Thank you, Garth Stein, for only furthering my love for dogs!
I borrowed this book from a friend and was swept away by Enzo and Denny. I bought the book for myself and have pushed all my friends to buy it as well. Enzo is an amazing voice.
This is an unusual and awesome chance to feel Denny and Enzo alive and moving. I’ll definitely watch in the cinema and buy the DVD too. The book made big impacts to people’s lives. Why not the movie?
I loved this book, it is one of my favorites, but why does every book have to be made into a movie these days?
I can’t wait for this movie! Patrick is the perfect choice being a dog lover and professional racer in Rolex Grand Am series.
Thank you Garth for such a great story that made me laugh and cry.
I LOVED this book….tears and laughter alternate practically page by page. A must read….
I love my dog some much. She can only become human after this life. This is one of my all time favourite books and beware the zebra.
Wow what a great book. It’s one of the best – if not the best I’ve read! Or as Enzo would say ‘my first favorite” book! I can’t wait for the movie.
I just finished reading this book an hour ago. Took me two days. It left me crying like a baby at the end. This is one powerful book, and perhaps the best I’ve read all year. I’ll surely treasure this book for years to come.
I look forward to seeing the movie and owning the DVD.
This is one amazing, amazing book.
During any downtime I prefer to watch TV but I was completely and utterly consumed by this book. I expressed every emotion during the course of this book! LOVED IT! I hope the movie does the book or should I say “novel” justice.
My dogs don’t know what hit them, they get more kisses and hugs than ever!
I read this book while my german shepard of 14yrs has been faithfully beside me. He is very much at the last stages as expressed thru Enzo. Rather than sadden me it has lifted me to see death as Enzo did, and so too my dog Joshua will run, run, ever faster into his next incarnation. I know someday I’ll meet some young boy named Joshua, and think could it be?
Yes but which DOG is playing Enzo? (Although Marney’s question is important too.) Denny, after all, is a secondary character. Enzo is the star!
I was lost on my way back from downtown and stopped in a Barnes & Nobles to calm myself when I happened upon this book. The only reason I picked it up I’ll admit was because it had a dog on it. Little did I know that almost a year later I would have read it 6 times. This is by far the best book I have ever read, and is the one I recommend most to all my friends and anyone I can. I still can’t put my feelings about this book in to words. This is the first I’m hearing about the movie for it and I hope that they don’t mess this movie up like all other book to movies have been.
This is definitely the best book I have ever read! Although I read it in English, because no Greek translation was available[so I had to look every word that was unfamiliar to me from the dictionary] I recommend it to everyone who loves animals!
This is fantastic news! I read the book about a year ago, and I recommend it to everyone I can. I recently recommended it to my older sister, another dog lover. She finished the book, called me about an hour later, still crying about it, and we laughed and cried together. She said something like, “Boy wouldn’t it be great if this were made into a movie? They made Marley and Me into a movie”. I said, “Yeah, and this would be so much better even than Marley and Me” and as we talked I just sort of idly googled “The Art of Racing in the Rain” and lo and behold, saw this article pop up. I read it to my sister, and at 44 and 56 years of age, we squealed like little girls, and my sister said, “Patrick Dempsey is a perfect choice!!”
I wholeheartedly agree, I will buy a movie ticket AND the DVD.
Just finished this book today. It is absolutely amazing! I couldn’t wait to tell people about this book after reading the first few chapters and now after reading the whole book I am making lists of people I can get this book for as Christmas and birthday gifts. Incredible story telling. It shows the wonderful relationships forged between dogs and humans. Through Enzo’s eyes you see the undying loyalty, faith and love your dog has for you. Any book that can make you laugh or make you cry is no doubt a story of worth and this one made me do both! This book will make you appreciate the animal in your life and the people too! Please go get this book, you are sure to love it!
I loved this book! amazing! if anyone gets more info about the movie please let us know!!
Garth, thanks for an amazing book that made me laugh AND cry. There is no other book like it.
Loved the book and I’m not a big reader, I thought of Lee Pace (Marmaduke, Pushing Daisies) when I thought of Denny, but I will still definitely see it! So excited!
I’m a 53 year old man that bawled his eyes out over this story! It is an eye-opening introspection on our outlook to life. “That which you manifest is before you.” Go Enzo!
I finished the book earlier today, and I can’t get it out of my mind. I completely fell in love with Enzo – and Denny. I look forward to the movie, but as others have posted – I hope they do it justice. I was a complete ball of emotion as I finished the story. It’s not often that a book can affect me like that.
I’m 12 and I make the horrible mistake of finishing the book on my schoolbus. I cried my eyes out and the driver stopped to make sure I was ok.
A heartwarming and marvelous display of the human condition and the belovedness of canines to their best friends ; the book by Garth Stein should become required reading in our schools , and the forthcoming major motion picture should not be missed by anyone , regardless of their age . Spectacular work by Garth Stein —thank you for giving that to all of us — our world is a better place because of your story . Yorkie’s best friends , Karen and Aaron
This is my favorite book of all time. I cried for days afterwards and can still get a little teary eyed if I think about it for to long…..I cannot wait for the movie but will need a big box of tissues and some valium upon entering the theater.
I too, felt all the emotions written here about this book. Ironically like many, having purchased it on my way flying from one place to another. From the moment I buckled my seat belt I couldn’t put this book down. the people sitting next to me on the plane or by the pool must have thought I was loony. Love racing, love dogs, love the book and have shouted about it to all my dog loving friends. Can’t wait for the movie and also agree it should be required reading in schools. Thank you Garth for such a great experience.
I have been recommending this book to anyone and everyone for over a year now. I’m looking forward to the movie with some apprehension. I’m HOPING they will be able to get Enzo’s narration on film without being “lost in translation”. What I’m really looking forward to is another novel by Garth Stein.
Wow, this is my second time reading this book, and this time around, I own the book. Yes, I actually bought it this time around.
. I love this story. Love it! Can’t believe it is going to be made into a movie. Hopefully it captures all the emotions and the events in the book fully. <3
I just finished reading this wonderful book a few minutes ago and I’m completely exhausted from crying through the last few pages. The best book I ever read and hopefully as good a movie, too.
I read this book a few years ago and still can’t stop thinking about it…still makes me shed a tear…the best book I’ve ever read…Patrick Dempsey is the “only” choice for this role!!! Perfect!!! Go Team Enzo!!!
I read this book about a year ago, and I never laughed and cried so much reading a book. It was amazing, and I will never look at my dogs the same way again. So often I wonder what they are thinking sometimes. I’ll never wonder again!!! Can’t wait to see the movie!
After reading ‘A Dog’s Purpose’, I read ‘The Art…’. I liked the book, which was a little more philosophical than ‘ADP’. I read both after putting my 15 year old dog down, which was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life. While I liked ‘ADP’ better than ‘The Art…’ I would not hesitate recommending either book to a friend. They are both told from the dog’s point of view but are quite different. I think Dempsey is perfect for the role of Denny. Should be a great movie.
I bought three other copies and used them as gifts for my friends. One of the most wonderful books I’ve ever read. I will also buy a ticket for the movie and the DVD.