It's fair to say Im not the biggest fan of F1 or any type of motor racing as it happens, in fact i was probably one of the ignorant cunts who dismissed it as a 'sport' completely, this changed that somewhat because every so often a story will come along and twat you wholeheartedly in the grey matter and take your breath away, this was one of them.
Ayrton (eye-err-tun not errr'tun as some scouse ryhming slangers may tell you) Senna was the stand out talent, spokesperson and heart throb of his generation, if not ever. Hear or read F1 drivers interviewed and he's the one they all love and admire. He died far too early and in his prime at 34 years of age after a steering column failed in now infamous moment in F1 history. Senna in Brazilian terms was from a fairly priveliged background, but this does not deflect from the raw genius that he clearly posessed for his passion, not to mention his popularity amongst the people of his country and beyond.
Senna was the F1 marketing mans dream, articulate and charismatic, a hit with the ladies. A bit like Lewis Hamilton minus the personality lobotomy some might say. The part in the film where he meets Brazilian model Adriane Galisteu is a right hoot as he blushes and grins his way through an awkward interview with her when she starts flirting with him onstage in Brazilian Christmas tv show.
The way the film is shot is like re-living a memory somewhat, gone is the talking head format which so often populates such documentaries about music or sporting legends, it uses all real footage some unseen before and in doing so it manages to tell a story of triumph and tragedy at its most acute. Along the way you feel like you know all the stuff that has happened and will happen, but because of some of the footage, particularly the pre race meetings amongst all the drivers and the head of the FIA and stuff, it's like they are all acting in a dramatic film, not having their lives documented as such.
Senna's rise to stardom in F1 dovetails nicely with the advances in technology in motorsport, offering an ethical and pure riposte to those who say it has improved the sport.Alain Prost plays the part of the comedy large hootered gallic villain to a degree, but ultimately he was used as a way of showing just how magical Senna was, i.e. Prost being methodical, ruthless and political in the pursuit of success and Senna just being the thoughtful zen like magician. Their relationship in the film starts playfully, decends into bitterness then admonishes itself of any ill feeling during their brief final podium together and Prost being one of many people carrying his coffin as 3 million lined the streets of Sao Paulo for his funeral. 17 years on Ayrton Senna is the last driver to die in F1.
If you get a chance to catch this beautifully tragic 'docufilm' at the pictures(it finished at FACT last night) my guess is that you wont be dissappointed. Failing that, catch it on dvd or sky or whatever means you can, because some stories deserve to live on long in the memory. Senna's was one of them.