Credits
Distributed by
20th Century Fox[1]
Production companies
Fox 2000 Pictures
Original Film
Starbucks Entertainment
TSG Entertainment
Shifting Gears Productions
Directed by
Simon Curtis
Screenplay by
Mark Bomback
Based on
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Produced by
Patrick Dempsey
Tania Landau
Neal H. Moritz
Cinematography
Ross Emery
Edited by
Adam Recht
Music by
Dustin O'Halloran
Volker Bertelmann
SYNOPSIS
In Seattle, Enzo (named after Enzo Ferrari) is dying. The old Golden Retriever is waiting for Denny, his master and best friend, to return. When Denny finds Enzo unable to move, the dog begins to narrate his life. Years prior, Denny buys a puppy, immediately bonding with young Enzo. Denny divides his time between teaching auto racing and caring for Enzo, while also pursuing a career as a race driver. A year later, Denny meets Eve at the supermarket and they begin to date. After Denny and Eve marry the following year, Eve's mother, Trish, is supportive, but her father, Maxwell, doesn't fully approve of Denny due to his career as a race driver. Eve becomes pregnant. On Christmas Day, Denny receives an invitation to drive in the 24 Hours of Daytona in February, which unfortunately takes place close to Eve's due date. She gives birth to daughter Zoë at home with 2 midwives, while the TV in the adjacent room shows Denny racing in Florida, thus missing the birth. Over the next few weeks, Enzo's health rapidly deteriorates. Realizing that the end is near, Denny arranges to drive him around the track where he used to teach. Enzo laments that he will not be able to travel to Italy or care for his family but insists that he has enjoyed a good life. He recalls a television documentary which showcased Mongolian beliefs that after dogs die, some are reincarnated as a human. Enzo explains that he is looking forward to his new life. Eight years later, Denny, now a successful Formula One driver for Scuderia Ferrari, is living in Italy with teenaged Zoë. Denny is introduced to a young fan with golden hair who asks for an autograph. He agrees, discovering the boy's name is Enzo. Denny smiles and tells the father that the boy reminds him of an old friend and tells him to bring the boy to him when his father thinks he is ready to race.