Asif Kapadia's riveting, emotionally resonant documentary about Brazilian motor-racing champion Ayrton Senna makes good on the cardinal rule of a great documentary film: it needs to be compelling even if audiences aren't particularly interested in the subject matter. Prior to seeing this film, I was no fan of Formula One, and yet I still found Senna to be a riveting humanist portrait of an admirable figure that at the same time featured awesome, white-knuckle footage of the racer's greatest moments, making for an affectionate, pulse-racing tribute to the star sportsman. So compelling is Senna's story, from his rise through the ranks, to his infamous feud with rival Alain Prost, to his untimely death on the track at San Marino in 1994, that it could be transitioned to a feature film almost completely seamlessly. It's extremely difficult not to become immersed in the man's activities on the track, though at the same time, it ends up hitting all that much harder when we're brought back to reality with his fatal crash at the movie's conclusion. With stunning editing (there's not a single talking head in sight), revealing interviews and exhilarating race footage, this is the documentary that all others should aspire to: it transcends its subject matter to tell a universal story about the human spirit. Did I miss any of your own favourite films? Let me know in the comments!
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
