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Friday, December 16, 2011
THE TEN BEST FILMS OF 2011
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Senna
7
Asif Kapadia crafted a superb look at 3-time world champion F1 racer Ayrton
Senna of Brazil in "Senna".
Universal
Asif Kapadia,
director
1 hour 46 minutes
Rated PG-13 for strong language and disturbing content
(Universal Pictures)
August 2011
Blu-Ray/DVD (U.S., Canada, U.K.)
"The best decision is my
decision."
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
FOLLOW
Friday,
December 16, 2011
"Senna" captured the full dimension of an athlete in ways that haven't
necessarily been done prior in a documentary (with the exception of perhaps
"Hoop Dreams"), and Asif Kapadia used archive footage to create a compelling
picture of Ayrton Senna, a wise-beyond-his-years world Formula One racing
champion from Brazil who had a spiritual air that carried him far beyond his
beloved legend.
Poignant, powerful and unsettling, "Senna" unmasks the child within a man whose
boldness, single-mindedness and passion were only eclipsed by his belief in a
higher power and righteousness. "Senna" is a Greek tragedy with
Shakespearean overtones. There's a rival in Alain Prost, a father figure
in Dr. Sid Watkins and a Darth Vader in Formula One head Jean-Marie Balestre.
Ever the ladies' man, Mr. Senna died abruptly and at such a young age but you
feel if you have aged very quickly with him as you watch him transform into a
weary champion of justice. This is a compliment, because I felt that his
spirit and his awareness of his place in life transcended the sport world and
made him a larger than life figure than many, except those in Brazil,
appreciated.
"Senna" was a potent reminder that life is more than a sport or game; it is
about when realizing that politics and persecutions intensify when saintly
people make a bid to revolutionize a sport, a society or a nation. The
ultimate price is paid. "Senna" is mistakenly labeled by some as a sports
documentary, but it isn't at all about sports. It is about being driven to
win in the race called life, and being unafraid to confront some of life's most
bitter and tragic truisms. I was in awe at Mr. Kapadia's documentary,
devastated by its conclusion but hopeful about the courage that unique
individuals like the wise, charismatic Mr. Senna can inspire in others.
Full written review
here.
NEXT: NUMBER 6
COPYRIGHT 2011. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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