Enhanced Velocity
In theaters now is Morgan Dalibard's film "Rapide," or more famously known as "Faster Than the Wind." This vibrant yet somewhat lifeless children's movie centers around Max Rolland (Paola Locatelli), a competitive spirit in Formula 1 races.
The film's story resonates with Vasily Lebedev-Kumach's song about the "happy wind": "Who is used to fighting for victory, // Will sing with us: // Who is cheerful - will laugh, // Who wants - will achieve, // Who searches - will always find!" In essence, Max's triumphant race journey is akin to a video game, with her zooming past challenges and adversaries like a seasoned player.
Reviewer Mikhail Trofimenkov raised concerns about the film's overuse of clichés, likening it to a game of virtual racing, where the difference between reality and fiction is blurred. Max exhibits reckless driving habits, pushing opponents off the track, risking crashes, and even burning out her tires. But, as in the game, she miraculously manages to survive and win.
The story ignores the potential consequences of such actions, according Trofimenkov, hinting at a careless approach to real-life racing. This indifference to Max's well-being reflects in Dalibard's directing style, with moments that seem careless and oblivious to the possible dangers.
The audience learns early on that Max's win is predestined; she's the chosen prodigy, born racing. Her obsession with speed can be traced back to her father's abandonment during childhood, echoing common themes in the sports genre. Max's life takes a turn when she's not selected for Formula 1, favoring the charming yet less talented rival, William Müller (Rick Kavanagh).
Devastated, Max becomes reckless on the roads, barely caring if pedestrians cross her path. Her mother follows her, blinded by concern, resulting in a tragic accident that leaves her wheelchair-bound. Remarkably, she forgives her daughter and wishes her continued success. Max atones for her mistake by taking up a low-profile construction job, but fortune reignites her racing ambitions with an unusual cargo delivery task.
The movie, also titled "Winds of Change," adheres to the sports genre's predictable plot twists and formulas. It features a challenging sports academy with a charismatic coach and grueling training regimes. However, disillusionment with the profession soon follows, leading Max to abandon racing temporarily. A psychopathic millionaire, Stan (Alban Lenoir), former champion himself, plays a crucial role in her return to the track.
Fans of the genre might expect Max's mother to triumphantly stand up from her wheelchair, throw away her crutches, and burst into a rock 'n' roll dance in the film's climax. However, such a twist would violate the genre's canons. For a complete understanding of the film, it's recommended to explore critiques and academic discussions, as search results on Dalibard's "Rapide" were scarce.
Movies-and-tv enthusiasts may find the sports genre parallels in "Rapide" intriguing, as it delves into entertainment elements such as reckless driving and life-threatening stunts, similar to sports-analysis coverage of actual races. The film's predictable plot twists and disregard for consequences in pursuit of entertainment reflect a blurred line between reality and fantasy, much like engaging in sports and virtual racing.
