Racing Dreams, 2009.
Written and Directed by Marshall Curry.
SYNOPSIS:
Set in the World Karting National Series, Marshall Curry’s documentary is a coming-of-age story following three kids and their dreams of racing success.
Kids don’t get much of a good press these days. With rioting, gangs and failing standards at schools and colleges, it is somewhat refreshing to watch a film that strives to cast the next generation in a more positive light. Racing Dreams is a film that goes someway to attempting to understand the trials and tribulations of growing up. Set within the adrenaline fuelled drive of the World Karting National Series (dubbed the Little League for professional racing), the film largely succeeds as a fast-paced coming of age tale.
This well-made and insightful documentary from filmmaker Marshall Curry follows the aspirations and early racing careers of committed youngsters Annabeth (11), Josh (12) and Brandon (13) as they compete for their various championships.
At the same time as navigating the twists and turns of the track, they have to get to grips with that difficult period of life between childhood and adulthood, and it is this aspect which provides the most fertile ground for the film. A central question it asks is: just how much of their childhood, and subsequent adolescence, have these kids missed out on directly due to their dedication to racing?
Curry juxtaposes the thrill and excitement of the race with home life and relationships with their parents – which in the case of Brandon is slightly troubled, working with his Dad at the track, and living with his Mother and step-Dad at home. An energetic teen, the film shows him rapping Jaz-Z tracks and generally showing off exuberantly for the camera. In one of the more disturbing scenes, Brandon is shown watching a professional driver’s victory speech on the TV. The driver proceeds to reel off thank-yous to a vast list of corporate sponsors that have helped make his success possible. It is an uncomfortable moment in an otherwise positive movie, and one which highlights the financial realities of this sort of sport.
The races themselves are beautifully captured and the film succeeds in bringing some of the excitement to the screen. Sound-tracked by melodic indie-rock and smartly edited the race meets are well contrasted with the realities of daily life. With speeds of the karts reaching up to 70mph, the potential for crashes and injury are reasonably high, and to their credit, both parents and kids seem completely aware of this.
These kids are single-minded in their devotion to racing, but you can’t help but wonder if part of their childhood has been compromised at all in their pursuit of excellence on the racetrack. These issues are dealt with in part, but along with the frequent sayings of grace before each meal and mentions of god-willing etc, this comes across as a particularly American sort of dream. When asked in her high-school year-book who she would ideally love to meet, Annabeth lists Casey Cain the race car driver, Dolly Parton, the President and God.
As an anthropological study, the film has a value and verve of interest even to non-race fans. Despite all of the high speed antics however, it is one that might be better suited to the small, rather than the big, screen.
To purchase Racing Dreams, visit Spirit Level Films.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Robert W Monk
Originally published September 17, 2012. Updated April 11, 2018.
