Jann Mardenborough is a teenage gaming wunderkind, his skills earning him a series of titles in the digital racing sphere. Given his talents, he receives the opportunity to become a professional driver for Nissan, where he must learn to translate his finely-honed gaming skills to real high-octane scenarios.

Some movies come tantalizingly close to greatness, leaving you frustrated as they narrowly miss the mark of brilliance. Neill Blomkamp’s “Gran Turismo,” a captivating sports drama that defies genre boundaries, teeters on the edge of wonder but ultimately falls short. The film, while steering clear of elaborate character development, opts for straightforward storytelling, sacrificing the potential for depth. It eschews formal experimentation in favor of a more straightforward approach aimed at providing simple enjoyment.

“Gran Turismo” is an intriguing blend of the unconventional and the familiar, presenting a biopic with an uncommon twist—drawing inspiration from a video game, or more precisely, a simulator. In contrast to typical game adaptations, the film takes its cues from a simulator rather than a game, a distinction highlighted by the protagonist, Mardenborough. He emphasizes that the source material isn’t just a game; it’s a simulator, where players can meticulously customize vehicles with an extensive array of parts. This simulation aspect mirrors real-life racing, allowing enthusiasts to recreate intricate details and mimic the performance of professional drivers. Despite its unique strengths, the film struggles with recurring weaknesses, leaving audiences with a taste of the extraordinary yet yearning for a deeper exploration of its potential.

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm EST

Free!