Review of Senna (2010) by Derek B — 24 Jan 2012

An excellent and inspiring collage of footage from the 1980s and 1990s with some contemporary interviews and absolutely no patronising voice-over. Apart from some footage of his go-karting days Senna's early career is glossed over and it's straight into Formula 1. Marvellous footage of some very well-chosen highlights of his career, focussing very closely on the bitter rivalry with Alain Prost. The footage from driver briefings was a revelation: Jean-Marie Ballestre - what a bastard. While I guess this film does tend to sanctify Ayrton, I don't believe that Prost was treated unfairly. What a dislikeable man he could be. The same is true for Senna at times but on balance he was a marvellous person, committed, spiritual, intense: simply the greatest F1 racer of the era. The sport has never been the same since.

This film never wastes a second, not for a moment will your attention wander, and the climax of the film for me - knowing the tragic arc that would follow - is Senna's Brazilian Grand Prix win, 1993 I think it was. Having decimated the field Senna's gearbox breaks, yet he brings the car home in one piece, and collapses... after an ecstatic victory lap. Of a life cut short which had some rich and joyous moments this was the pinnacle. A lovely way to remember him and perhaps, just perhaps, where the film should have ended. But in my heart I know what I am saying really is that it was then that Ayrton should have quit racing.....