This is at heart a tragic story which could have descended into sentimentality - but doesn't. It showed people going through the full set of life's experiences and emotions, where those suffering from a terrible tragedy react with dignity, even stoicism - and certainly courage, including Eve. What happened to her and worse happens to many people, which in that sense is "normal", but that doesn't help much for those who suffer.

The story shows some of the worst and best in people, and the latter far outweighs the former. In that sense it is uplifting despite the tragic passing of Eve. To an old cynic the abrupt change in the testimony of Mrs Spangle was kind of predictable - but beautiful, and beautifully handled - and led to as happy an ending as could be possible given what happened to Eve.

Milo Ventimiglia plays Denny with moving restraint and all the above-mentioned qualities - which of course are essential as the best way to help his daughter. The roles of Eve and Zoe were also beautifully acted, and the passing of Eve was really very moving.

Forgiveness and redemption? The behaviour of Mr Spangle is despicable (especially as it went right against what Eve would have wanted) - but at the end Denny also invites HIM into the house for Zoe's birthday party. Sentimental? One might say so, but it is not really sentimental to show the best qualities of people as seen in Denny, his friends, his daughter, his racing contacts - and Mrs Spangle. For Mr Spangle, there is hope at the end.

ENZO? I have obviously seen animals talking in many films, but in cartoons such as "Ice Age". I suppose there must have been some films with humans and a narrating dog as a key character, but I can't think of any. In that sense this was an amazing and original idea. In general I believe that most mammals (and indeed many large marine animals) are MUCH more intelligent that we are used to thinking - BECAUSE THEY CANNOT TALK. Everything ENZO had to say made sense as one would imagine it from a dog's perspective - though if I were a dog like Enzo I am not sure I would be so keen to be a HUMAN! Kevin Costner was a very convincing dog, and the dog himself should have got an OSCAR!

If you told someone who hadn't seen the film that there was a talking dog in it then they might well have thought that weird and/or silly - but IT WORKS BRILLIANTLY. We totally empathize with ENZO and his point of view.

BOTTOM LINE: there is a lot of LOVE in the film: but WHY NOT? And it is beautifully shown and acted. IMDB shows a rating of 7.6, but I would have give it at least 8.6 - and it is one I can watch again!

P.S. The RACING theme is ALSO unique as far as I know - and the way that was handled was also fascinating and convincing. (GO TO TOP)