February 8, 2012
johnvanderslice: Senna (Taken with Instagram at Skywalker Ranch) still haven’t seen it, but feel compelled to quote, at length, an email from an aggrieved friend who has: Movie does NOTHING to explain Senna’s style except put up talking heads that say, “He was the fastest driver ever!” And it never questions this—he’s just perfect according to film. Never made a mistake (except famous Monaco crash which movie goes at lengths to explain away as yet another sign of his true genius…ugh). They could have gone into the way Prost set up car, the way Senna set up a car, etc., etc. But nothing on that. Just, “Senna was a good, noble genius—and Prost was evil!! He only won because of Jean Marie Balestre and the FIA!! Look—they’re both French!!” They take one of the most compelling seasons ever—1989 (?) when the McLarens won 15 of 16 rounds, and ignore the excitement/achievement of that in favor of more Senna praise. And ultimately, knocking Prost does damage to Senna’s legacy—Prost was maybe the best ever, beating him was a big deal! Here’s what will tell you all you need to know: for their “expert” talking head they turned to… JOHN BISIGNANO. Movie is almost 80% interviews with Biz, and Senna’s sister, and a Brazilian “journalist.” No Nigel Roebuck, no countering voice. (Re: contemporary Biz footage: collar was NOT turned-up, sadly). Peet, you bring up an even more upsetting point—people who know nothing about this period and these drivers come away with a completely skewed version of events. Had to sit in semi-full theater and listen to people cheer Senna spearing Prost off at first corner of Suzuka 1990. Highly disturbing if you’re a fan of racing. A fucking travesty! of course, we’re old enough to have thought senna was a dick while he was still alive.

johnvanderslice:

Senna (Taken with Instagram at Skywalker Ranch)

still haven’t seen it, but feel compelled to quote, at length, an email from an aggrieved friend who has:

Movie does NOTHING to explain Senna’s style except put up talking heads that say, “He was the fastest driver ever!” And it never questions this—he’s just perfect according to film. Never made a mistake (except famous Monaco crash which movie goes at lengths to explain away as yet another sign of his true genius…ugh). They could have gone into the way Prost set up car, the way Senna set up a car, etc., etc. But nothing on that. Just, “Senna was a good, noble genius—and Prost was evil!! He only won because of Jean Marie Balestre and the FIA!! Look—they’re both French!!”

They take one of the most compelling seasons ever—1989 (?) when the McLarens won 15 of 16 rounds, and ignore the excitement/achievement of that in favor of more Senna praise. And ultimately, knocking Prost does damage to Senna’s legacy—Prost was maybe the best ever, beating him was a big deal!

Here’s what will tell you all you need to know: for their “expert” talking head they turned to… JOHN BISIGNANO. Movie is almost 80% interviews with Biz, and Senna’s sister, and a Brazilian “journalist.” No Nigel Roebuck, no countering voice. (Re: contemporary Biz footage: collar was NOT turned-up, sadly).

Peet, you bring up an even more upsetting point—people who know nothing about this period and these drivers come away with a completely skewed version of events. Had to sit in semi-full theater and listen to people cheer Senna spearing Prost off at first corner of Suzuka 1990. Highly disturbing if you’re a fan of racing.

A fucking travesty!

of course, we’re old enough to have thought senna was a dick while he was still alive.