GRAN TURISMO
US, 2023, 135 minutes, Colour.
David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Takehiro Hira, Darren Barnett, Geri Halliwell Horner, Djimon Hounsou.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp.
2 ¼ hours of high adrenaline excitement for those sitting comfortably in cinema seats! This is a film for racing car enthusiasts, Formula 1, PlayStation fans, in fact, for all those who love cars and driving, especially at high speeds. Which means, of course, that it is not for those who have problems and ideological difficulties with Formula 1, and who see cars simply as a vehicle for getting from one place to another.
Speaking of Formula 1, it is fair to say that this story of racing driver success follows the well-known formula for sports films. But, while fastidious comments include the word predictable, those who enjoy the film expect this kind of story, identify with the characters, identify with the hopes, the trials, the successes.
Not everyone is familiar with PlayStation and computer games (though that demographic is increasing, many getting older because of their by now long familiarity with computer games). This film was produced by PlayStation and is a huge promotion for Nissan. And, it is based on a true story although the central character is somewhat fictionalised in terms of his success. However, there in the final credits, as so often nowadays, are photos of the actual driver, Jann Mardenborough, his trainer Jack Salter, his parents, family, juxtaposed with the pictures of Archie Madekwe who plays him here. And we are informed that the actual Jann Mardenborough did all the stunts for the film’s action sequences (and co-produced the film). The film has been directed by South African, Neill Blomkopf who came to prominence with District 9, and science fiction films, Elysium and Chappie.
There are some initial explanations of the Japanese origin of the computer game, Gran Turismo, its popularity and success, and we are introduced to Danny Moore, a Nissan promoter, with what seems a rather wild idea of having computer champions become actual racing drivers. We are introduced to the young Jann, skilled at playing Gran Turismo down in Cardiff. His father, champion footballer (played by Djimon Hounsou), his supportive mother (played by Geri Halliwell Horner, of Spice Girl fame), but his father protective and cautious, wanting his son to have a good job. But, driving is what he wants. Danny Moore organises a PlayStation competition and Jann wins.
And here’s where we follow the formula, enjoying it, the quest for a coach who understands cars, embodied in David Harbour’s Salter, a failed driver, very severe on the candidates, challenging them, but eventually becoming coach and father figure to Jann. There is the fickle Danny Moore, a born promoter, happy with success, miserable with failures. And, of course, there are the competitive drivers – particularly an arrogant Brit who will be defeated when the chips are down! There are friends. There is a nice love interest. There is gradual success, dire moments of failure, a spectacularly terrible crash, the quest to be licensed for driving – and visits to all kinds of venues around the world culminating at the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Needless to say, the film races at a great pace, close-ups of the driving, the driver and his psychology, the crowds, aerial shots, drone shots, and always rapid editing and pace. The Gran Turismo and racing car fans and probably meets most expectations.
1. Gran Turismo,, the background of the game, the Japanese origins, the maker, ambitions, popularity, players around the world?
2. The target audience for this film, computer game players? Formula 1 fans, racing car fans, lovers of cars and machines? Competitive sport?
3. Based on a true story, actual characters – but rather enhanced in terms of the characters success and history? Central character as producer, as stunt double for the action sequences? And the final photos at the end, the actors alongside the characters they portrayed?
4. Audience knowledge of Gran Turismo, audience attitudes towards computer games, the decades of computer games and fans growing older along with new fans?
5. Japan, the origins of the game, Danny Moore and his travel, for Nissan, his enthusiasm, meeting the executives, his steel, wanting to organise competitions amongst players, and choosing players to become actual racing drivers? Plausibility? The competitions, the results, the training, the success?
6. The scenes in Wales, the youngsters and their playing at their consoles, Jann Mardenberg and his skills, the background of his family, his father the footballer, protective of his son, unsympathetic towards computer games, his devoted mother, his brother, the friends, the scenes of their playing? The news of the competition, Jann and his eagerness, his father taking him to the railyards and the prospects for a job, his hurrying back, the competitors, his performance, winning?
7. Danny Moore, the need for a coach, lack of applications, Jack Salter and his reputation, driver, failing, the accident? Mechanic? The meeting, American versus British, change of heart, accepting the job?
8. The range of winners throughout the world, the coming together, the different nationalities, personalities, their working together, competition amongst themselves, the driving, skills?
9. The pressure on Jann, rather low on the rungs, the others and their success? The introduction to Jack, his stern tone, not believing they could make the transition, driving them hard, his mechanical knowledge, drawing on his experience of driving? The gradual eliminations and disappointments? The pressure on Jann, the drive, Jann and his explanation of what was wrong with the car, Jack not believing him, prepared to let him go, the examination, Jann vindicated, staying?
10. The role of Nissan, the drivers and teams, the offer of the position to the successful candidate? Danny Moore, the continual pressure, a salesman, ups and downs? Not wanting Jann, Jann not being good at interviews, therefore to be passed over for someone more media friendly? Jack and his determination?
11. The background of the family at home, reactions to what it happened, his mother concerned, his father mellowing?
12. Jann’s career, preparation for the various races, the pressures, his skills, the experience at the console, transferring it to actuality, modifying it?
13. The variety of racetracks, International, the races, the pressures, the staff, racing, the rivalry of the arrogant Englishman? Jann and is gradual success, the effect of the accident, the car upright and crashing, the drivers surviving, Jann taking it to heart? His continuing his quest, the many races, gradually coming up the ladder, the race where he needed to come at least fourth in order to get his license, the drama, winning? The personal pressures, his own injuries, his feeling of responsibility for the death of the member of the public watching? Jack and his story of the accident at Le Mans?
14. The buildup to Le Mans, 24 hours, calling back other members of the trainee drivers, the team, the race itself, the drama, 24 hours, Jan and the challenge of the driving, his technique of going on the outside, winning?
15. This film and the long tradition of racing car films, Grand Prix, Winning, Le Mans, the biographies of the various prominent drivers over the decades?
