TGIFr!day

Week of Friday, August 9, 2019 | Vol. 7, No. 32

Check da Scene

KAUAI SHORTS:

Grinds & Da Kines For Your Weekend

A Ten Minute Play Festival

www.kauaicountyfarmbureau.org

E! SAVE THE DAT ir

Fa 2019 Farm 8 August 15 -1

SATURDAYS 9:30am –1pm

On the Kauai Community College Campus

Little Thai Kitchen

Back from vacation serving yummy exotic Thai dishes!

From Farmers Market to Farm Fair The Kauai County Farm Bureau Supports Agriculture

Kaua‘i

2 | TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019

TOP PICKS FRIDAY

‘CHICAGO” THE MUSICAL 7 p.m. Puhi Theatrical Warehouse “Chicago!” is the production of the Hawaii Children’s Theatre’s “After Dark” program. Tickets: www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.org LAST BON DANCE OF THE SEASON 7 p.m. Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital Food trucks, games.

TALL ORDER BILL BULEY TGIFR!DAY

E

ighteen actors.

Ten plays.

Eight performances HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR & UKULELE CONCERT Six directors.

GIFT OF THE ANCESTORS Two weekends.

4 to 6 p.m. Hanalei Family Community Center And 136 cues.

SATURDAY In numbers, that sums up “Kauai Shorts: A Ten Minute ‘CHICAGO” THE MUSICAL Play Festival.”

7 p.m. Puhi Theatrical Warehouse “We have great plays this “Chicago!” is the production of the Hawaii Children’s Theatre’s year, ” said Nicole Cowan, “After Dark” program. Tickets: www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.org president of WIT’s board of SUNDAY directors.

But behind the scenes, ‘CHICAGO” THE MUSICAL there’s so much going on 7 p.m. Puhi Theatrical Warehouse you can’t put facts or figures “Chicago!” is the production of the Hawaii Children’s Theatre’s “After Dark” program. Tickets: www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.org on the passion and energy of the actors and directors inHAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR & UKULELE CONCERT volved in this year’s producYOUR ISLAND OF PEACE tion by Women in Theatre.

3 to 5 p.m. Hanalei Family Community Center.

“It’s like payback for me,” TUESDAY said Nell Foster, who is acting in two plays and directing BIKES ON RICE: two. “I love the acting part. I 4:30 to 6 p.m. Meet at Lihue Civic Center. love all the other parts, too, Six miles. This ride will explore Holuala’s path system near the Lihue Airport. but getting to act is kind of my reward for all of it.”

THURSDAY Kauai Shorts features 10 “WE, THE VOYAGERS PART 2: OUR MOANA” original plays that are 10 6:30 p.m., Kauai Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. minutes long. The festival, in The Pacific Traditions Society will host a showing of its one hour its eight season, is held every film. Free. Info: www.vaka.org. other year, so this won’t come around again until EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Bill Buley | bbuley@thegardenisland.com | 245-0457 2021.

ADVERTISING: displayads@thegardenisland.com | 245-0425 Directors are promising CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: tgiclassified@thegardenisland.com | 246-0325 the audience will be pleased

Bill Buley / TGIF

Richard Pettigrew and Carla Kirk rehearse a scene from “Meeting of the Minds” while director Cass Foster looks on. The play is one of eight in “Kauai Shorts: A Ten Minute Play Festival” that opens Aug. 15 at WIT’s End Threatre at Kukui Grove Center. COVER: Nicole Cowan, left, and Nell Foster, are both directing and acting in “Kauai Shorts: A Ten Minute Play Festival.”

by the plays that are a mix of comedy and drama.

“You’ll be surprised what can happen in 10 minutes,” reads the program flier.

Nearly 100 plays, including some from New Zealand the United Kingdom, were submitted for consideration.

A three-person reading committee determined the top 10. It did not know who wrote the plays at the time.

Local playwrights whose work will be featured include Morgan Liddell and Wil Welsh.

Nell Foster, WIT’s vice pres-

One Free Junior with GOLF & FUN Each Paying Adult* FREE Round EVERYDAY Any Day, Any Time!

June 1 1st - September 30th June - $XJXVW VW

G O L F

FO R

L I F E

‘Kauai Shorts’ spotlights the talents of actors, directors in eight, 10-minute plays

ident and artistic director, noted that previous festivals were held at Kauai Community College over two nights.

“Everybody did all that work and got one performance,” she said.

This time, all 10 plays will be performed each of the eight nights.

Kauai Shorts is unique in that it lets novice directors try their hand, while many of the actors are also new to the stage.

It also gives seasoned actors a chance to play multiple roles, and veteran

directors an opportunity to work with actors in a new light.

“It’s cool for the playwrights,” Nell Foster said. “To get their plays staged means a lot.”

Auditions were held over two days for all the plays.

Some were cast for more than one part.

“Seeing the same actor doing different characters, there’s diversity they bring to the stage,” Cass Foster said.

“And a lot of these actors are SEE ORDER, PAGE 3

*Limit of 1 kid, ages 17 & under, per paying adult.

Maximum 2 riders per golf cart. Must have valid driver’s license to drive cart. Kids Play Free not valid with other discounts, group or club play.

4150 Nuhou St. Lihue, HI 96766 808-245-8756 puakeagolf.com

TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019 | 3

Order Continued from page 2

familiar to the community, so you’re going to see them in a new light.”

As for staging, it’s basic.

Depending on the play, there might be two black boxes that can be used as desks or tables, two chairs, a table, one office chair and a tandem bike.

“The actors are going to be the focus, not the set,” Nell Foster said. “The audience really gets to focus on the acting and use their imagination. Sometimes, we don’t give the audience that much freedom to use their imaginations.”

While there is a 20-minute intermission, the plays will move quickly with the help of emcee and radio personality Ron Wood.

There will be an introduction for each play and lead-in and lead-out music.

Some of the playwrights will be on hand.

Cass Foster, who is directing two plays, said while one might think it’s easy directing just a few actors, it’s not.

“There’s no difference in putting a show together in terms of working with the actors, whether it’s two hours or 10 minutes,” he said.

KAUAI SHORTS INCLUDES: ◗ “Ring of Truth”: written by Marsha Roberts, directed by Morgan Liddell.

Cast includes Rebecca Hanson, Billy Quebido and Claudia Cowan ◗ “Letters From Strangers”: by Rob Nisbet, directed by Tamara Jeffries.

Cast includes Nell Foster, Robin Bon, Ashley Carinio and Roxanne Fox. ◗ “There’s New Life Coming”: by Marj O’Neill-Butler, directed by Nicole Cowan. Cast includes Ava Collet and Donna Carsten. ◗ “The Interview”: by Patrice Hamilton, directed by Nell Foster. Cast includes Carla Kirk, Denise Robinson, Jarhett Gaines. ◗ “Wannabe”: by Shelley Stolaroff Segal and directed by Morgan Liddell.

Cast includes Michael Horning, SJ Le Hoven, Nicole Cowan. ◗ “Battle of the Front Seat”: by Rex McGregor and directed by Wilbur Keith. ◗ “Meeting of the Minds”: by Diane Nichols and directed by Cass Foster.

Cast, Richard Pettigrew and Carla Kirk. ◗ “Keepsake”: by Peggy Powell, directed by Wilbur Keith. Cast, Jennifer Cullen, Billy Quebido ◗ “OMG”: by Wil Welsh, directed by Nell Foster. Cast, Michael Horning, Donna Carsten, Jody Van Brunt. ◗ “New Normal”: by Morgan Liddell, directed by Cass Foster. Cast, Jim Ballantine, Nell Foster.

Kauai Shorts is scheduled 7 p.m. Aug. 15, 16 and 17, and 4 p.m. Aug. 18, and 7 p.m. Aug 22, 23, 24 and 4 p.m. Aug. 25, all at WIT’s home at Kukui Grove Center.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Info: womenintheatre.org, 635-3727.

“Absolutely no difference.

“For me, this is kind of nice, a return to my roots. Even though I’m working with a couple actors and very minimal tech support, it’s delightful, absolutely delightful.”

Cass directs his wife Nell in “New Normal.” For the most part, they get along well in theater production.

“We have a lot of counseling outside the stage,” Cass said, laughing as he looked toward Nell.

Actually, they have worked

together 30 years and respect each other’s difference with theater.

“We have a lot of fun,” Nell said.

Cowan has fun but it’s hard work directing one play and acting in another, which she does.

So far, she prefers acting.

“It’s just more natural to me, I guess,” she said.

She’s still learning her way on the director’s side.

“I still don’t quite know my style,” Cowan. “You’re trying

called “a bitter-sweet” time.

But they are hoping to fill the seats each night, which would help them raise money to find a new home.

Cowan is confident the

to navigate how you want to do it.”

WIT is losing its space at Kukui Grove Center after nearly two years, so this is kind of what Nell Foster

audience will like what they see.

“It’s a variety show,” Cowan said. “There’s something for everyone, you’ll laugh and cry.”

Shops, Restaurants & Services at Ching Young Village: Activity Shack

Hanalei River Healing

Na Pali Properties

Aloha from Hanalei

Hanalei Surf Backdoor

Northside Grill

Aloha Juice Bar

Hanalei Strings

Ohana Shop

Alo La‘a Yoga & Dance

Honua Engineering

On the Road to Hanalei

Big Save

Hot Rocket

Pat’s Taqueria

Billabong

Hula Moon Gifts of Hanalei

Pedal and Paddle

Blue Tiki Tattoo

Infinite Arts

Reside Kauai LLC

Chocolat Hanalei

Jo-Jo Shave Ice

Seahorse Boutique

DeCamp Construction

Kalypso Restaurant

Spinning Dolphin

Divine Planet

Kauai Vacation Rentals

Styles Studio Hanalei

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ

Kokonut Kids

Sunrise Emporium

Hanalei Bay Pizzeria

L&L Hawaiian BBQ

Timeshare Resales

Hanalei Cafe

Lee Acupuncture

Tresor Rare

Hanalei Poke

Na Pali Catamaran

Village Snack & Bakery

NOW OPEN

Specializing in Organics, grab and go, groceries, beer, wine and other convenience items.

Hours: Mon-Fri 7a.m.-8p.m., Sat 8a.m.-8p.m., Sun 10 a.m-8p.m.

Jane F. Abramo

Rd.

Ric eS t.

Lala

Making eating healthy easy Follow us on Instagram for up-to-the-minute local deliveries, shop our website to see what’s in our inventory before coming down. Farmer owned.

You’ll find us in the Heart of Hanalei...

3486 Rice St. Health Go Market across from Habor Mall

808-245-0002

www.healthgomarket.com

PRINCIPAL BROKER

808-639-3773 P.O. Box 475, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714 Bus: 808-826-7272 • Fax: 808-826-7665 jane@napaliprop.com • napaliprop.com

4 | TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019

2 DAYS OF THE ‘BIZARRE TRIP’ THAT WAS ALMOST WOODSTOCK 50 FOLK, ALOHA MESFIN FEKADU ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Kauai Folk Festival coming in September TGIFR!DAY

T

he 2019 Kauai Folk Festival on Sept.

28 and 29 celebrates two days of folk music, dance, food, drink, and craft featuring multiple Grammy-winning artists, and more than a dozen international acts, on five stages.

Held at the historic Grove Farm Museum, it blends traditional music and dance from all over the world with its Hawaiian counterpart in a stunning setting.

Continuous live music will be performed on multiple stages. The lineup includes: Folk Music legends Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan, and Tim O’Brien; popular artists Caleb Klauder, Reeb Willms, Austin Derryberry, and Jonny Fritz, local Hawaii players Puka Asing, Kirby Keough, and Wally Rita’s ‘Los Kauaianos’, along with an eclectic mix of acts like local blues legend Vic the Barber, African Rhumba band Boma Bango, and French folk duo ‘The Montvales.”

Kauai folk workshops are a unique addition to the festival format. Performers will share in workshops on guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele and mandolin.

Dance instructors will teach hula, square dance, swing, and two-step. Voice instructors will teach harmony singing, ballads and Hawaiian song. Jam stations and loaner instruments will be available.

Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments.

Enjoy tasty local food and drink from a curated selection of local favorites.

Tickets for the Kauai Folk Festival are available in daily passes for $60, weekend passes for $100 and VIP passes for $300 each and offer full access to all stage performances, workshops and parking.

Info: kauaifolk.com

make the event work as a free concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, less hortly after Woodstock than a week after announcing organizers announced the that location he announced that shambolic 50th anniversary everything was canceled. concerts were off after months “Merriweather was just an of setbacks and holdups, Woodattempt to do some good with stock co-founder Michael Lang some of the talent that were summed up the drama in six available,” he said. words: “It’s been a really bizarre Asked why he hadn’t worked trip.” with a touring juggernaut like Over the last six months, Lang, Live Nation, which puts on 74, moved like a cat using all hundreds of festivals successfully, nine lives to make Woodstock Lang said: “We really wanted to 50 work. The first plan, to have keep it independent. That’s part an all-star concert with the likes of the character of our brand and of Jay-Z, Dead & Company, the our position in the world.”

Amy Harris/Invision/AP Killers and more in Watkins Glen, Melanie, known as the first John Fogerty performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival lady of Woodstock and schedNew York, some 115 miles (185 in New Orleans. kilometers) northwest of the uled to perform at Lang’s 50th Lang added that when it was celebration, said she noticed outlets reported it as fact. (Lang original 1969 concert — was leaked to the press that artists scuttled after the venue backed sued, and a judge ruled Dentsu things were taking a turn when booked to perform were not couldn’t singlehandedly call off out. Then the plan was to have she couldn’t get in touch with paid on time, Dentsu might have him: “I have a personal line with the show). it in Vernon, New York, but thought he had done it. Lang Lang said Dentsu’s decision organizers couldn’t get a permit.

Michael Lang, but after a while said all the artists were eventuLang finally found a location that “really put a halt to our efforts he stopped returning my phone ally paid, and he denies leaking to get a mass gathering permit would work — all the way in calls.” the info.

Maryland — but artists started to because all of the government “Michael was just not focused “That really sort of destroyed pull out of the festival and he de- agencies stopped working when on the power of what he had,” cided to scrap the event and the they announced that. That nearly the trust that we might have had she said. “Not just get the biggest anniversary concerts altogether. lost us about six weeks. That was together,” he said. “It was probact, get the biggest crowd and ably one of the agencies who a crucial six weeks.”

“What can I say?” Lang said the biggest people. Basically, he When asked about the official were just doing their job and in a phone interview with The really could have had a festival trying to get their band paid.” cancellation of Woodstock 50, Associated Press. “It’s not been with alumni and people who So he got a new financial Dentsu told AP it had no comsurprising that we weren’t able seem to, I don’t know, like Pearl partner, although the original ment. to pull this off.”

Jam. People who have that Lang said Dentsu approached venue, Watkins Glen Internation- sensibility.”

If Lang could go back and do al, pulled out, as did production him about coming on board to things differently, he says, he Scheduled performers for company Superfly. And tickets would have tried to get permits handle some of the finances, Woodstock 50 included contemwere still not available for purmedia sales and sponsorships. earlier. And he would have porary artists like Imagine Dragchase. worked with a different financial He said he isn’t sure why the ons, Miley Cyrus and Chance Woodstock 50 organizers relationship went left. partner. the Rapper, along with acts who “I’ve been struggling with that were denied a permit to hold On April 29, Dentsu Aegis Netperformed at the original festival, work’s Amplifi Live announced it all along. For them to walk away the festival at the Vernon Downs including Santana and John racetrack and casino in upstate from such a big investment, took back about $18 million — Fogerty.

New York; it was filed too late the remains of the $49 million it frankly, it was puzzling,” he said.

“The thing lacked heart,” and had problems. Local officials Melanie said. “He didn’t get the “I think because the permit was had put in — from the anninot completed, which I attribute denied permit applications amid support because of that, really versary event, set to take place concerns about having 65,000 to the fact that Dentsu just Aug. 16-18. In its statement, the and truly.” people come to a largely rural dragged its feet in getting our company also prematurely said “Woodstock’s a living thing producing team in place and our area on short notice. that Woodstock 50 had been and you can’t package a living And while Lang hoped to booking team in place.” canceled, and some media thing,” she added.

S

TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019 | 5

BREADFRUIT ON THE AIR Chef Gordon Ramsay heads to the Hana Coast

JESSICA ELSE TGIFR!DAY

tropical regions with a tree of their own. Since the beginning of the program in 2009, more than 100,000 breadfruit episode is entitled “Hawaii’s trees have been sent to Hana Coast”.

Ramsay visits some of the 44 countries, according to NTBG. most remote places in the or more than 30 years, From research in microNational Tropical Botan- world on the series including propogation to partnerships Morocco, Alaska and New ical Garden’s Breadfruit with countries like Samoa Zealand; and Maui.

Institute has been studying and organizations like the After visiting NTBG’s hundreds of varieties of the Alliance to End Hunger, the 150-variety conservation starchy fruit.

Breadfruit Institute has been collection at Kahanu Garden, These trees are powermaking strides with the fruit Ramsay prepares a delicious houses for food production for years. and their fruit can be used in breadfruit mash incorNTBG hosts the biggest an almost endless ways. Plus, porated with venison to living collection of breadfruit the trees themselves are be- create a never-before-seen in the world — more than ing used in soil remediation, shepherd’s pie,” NTBG said 300 trees. That’s where the in a press release about the reforestry and regenerative plant material for microagriculture, and are popular episode. propogation comes from.

The release continues: with the pollinators.

Photo courtesy of National Tropical Botanical Garden, property of National Geographic/Michael Muller A collection is curated on “Gordon Ramsay is among Recognize the trees and Mike Opgenorth, left, introduces Gordon Ramsay to breadfruit, a fruit that can be used as a Kauai, but Ramsay chose to you’ll see them all over Kauai a growing number of chefs vegetable. visit NTBG’s Kahanu Garden.

— peppered along the sides who are discovering why According to National breadfruit is increasingly a faof the highway, as centerGeographic, Ramsay also vorite staple tree crop across pieces in yards and gardens, even at the Kauai Communi- the Pacific and in more than does some spear diving off 90 countries and territories.” the coast of Hana in the epity Correctional Center. sode and talks about Hawaii’s Growing interest in putAnd Sunday you can catch canoe plants; their history ting breadfruit on the table a few tips on cooking these and their uses in the kitchen. caters to NTBG’s Breadfruit dragon egg-looking fruits The “Hawaii’s Hana Coast” Institute’s goals, like the from celebrity chef Gordon episode is set to air on SunRamsay on his new National Global Hunger Initiative, day at 4 p.m. on The National which connects hungry Geographic series “Gordon Geographic channel. families in subtropical and Ramsay: Uncharted”. The

F

Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (American and Mexican Cuisine) Happy Hour Daily 2 - 5 p.m.

In addition to Authentic Mexican Cuisine, our menu also features Omelettes, Pancakes, Club and Santa Fe Sandwiches and as well as Vegetarian Burger.

11-10pm • Sun-Wed and 11-1am thurs-Sat

www.mariachishawaii.com Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daily (Friday and Saturday til 10 p.m. at Harbor Mall location)

Kapaa 4-1387 Kuhio Hwy.

Lihue Harbor Mall, 3501 Rice St.

808-822-1612

808-246-1570

(808) 826-6277 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei tHenui.com

6 | TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019

SUGAR MILL HIGHLIGHT OF ‘HOBBS AND SHAW’

Best scenes of “Fast and the Furious” spinoff were shot on Kauai

••• MOVIE REVIEW

JESSICA ELSE TGIFR!DAY

T

he Old Koloa Sugar Mill was the perfect backdrop for the brawny battle between the two hunky heroes and their cyborg nemesis in the “Fast and the Furious” spinoff, “Hobbs and Shaw”.

After high speed chases through the streets of London and secret Ukrainian laboratories, protagonists Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) and Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby) find themselves taking cover in Samoa.

That’s after MI6 agent Hattie Shaw inoculates herself with a supervirus to keep it from an anarchist Eton operative bent on using the virus to wipe out the weakest of the human race.

The film is a fast-action, nonstop, high-speed race from the second the silver screen lights up in London. It charges full-throttle into a story that really centers around protecting family, though there are plenty of explosions peppered throughout.

When the cast gets to “Samoa” though, taking refuge with Hobb’s estranged family in their island compound, scenes of the Na Pali coast press pause on the thrill ride for a moment.

It’s quite the contrast; moving from the breaking glass, heavy fire and grinding metal of the abandoned Ukrainian power facility to the breathtaking views of Kauai’s coastline, Waimea Canyon and Hobb’s jungle home. It’s a momen-

TOP LEFT: Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in a scene from “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.”

TOP RIGHT: Vanessa Kirby as Hattie Shaw. BOTTOM: Idris Elba as Brixton Lore.

Photos by Frank Masi/ Universal Pictures via AP

tary peaceful breath of fresh air.

Samoa is where they face off with Brixton Lore, an MI6 rouge field agent and cyborg who is hunting them down. He wants Hattie because she’s hosting the supervirus — which will infect her within hours, before moving on to the rest of the planet.

The goal is twofold: rebuild a machine that will save Hattie’s life before the virus becomes active within her system, and keep the virus away from the Eton operatives.

The showdown pits traditional Polynesian weapons against hightech, futuristic artillery just outside the Old Koloa Sugar Mill and gives the audience a few more views of Kauai’s stunning rugged coast.

While action sequences and super-stunts take up the bulk of

the screen time in this flick, there are a few sweet sibling moments sprinkled in as Hobbs reunites with his family, particularly a brother that felt betrayed by the well-meaning federal agent Hobbs.

Siblings Hattie and Deckard Shaw put some longstanding beef to bed too, as they prepare to fight their superhuman nemesis in the belly of the Mill.

Don’t expect “Hobbs and Shaw” to feature the suped up street racing and other underground culture elements of the first “Fast and the Furious” movies. The spinoff is its own animal, except for that tip of the hat to the importance of ohana and family.

“Hobbs and Shaw” is a good ride though, made especially spectacular by the Sugar Mill scenes and the red dirt of The Garden Island.

••• Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com

CHECK DA SCENE

TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019 | 7

DENNIS FUJIMOTO TGIFR!DAY

Patty Boyette, Keanie Northrop, McKenna Laban - California Brandon Moore, Elden Reyes, Sebastian Winkler - California

Isley Agliam, Shyaiann Ah-Sing, Maluhia Hamada - Big Island

Heather Feliciano, Linda Martinez, Shelly Carvalho, Vanessa Agliam - Big Island

Kaile‘a Lin Haver, Elisha Stenseng, Joann Stenseng, Wennifer Lin Haver - California

Jayze Sasil, Alvin Sasil, Loke Sasil, Jayvin Sasil, Chaz Sasil, Marni Kaduce

Kimi Blaum, Mahina Rowe

Donette Dias, Lisa Martinez, Renie Bauder, Elena Gillespie, Vanessa Fujiyama, Diane Hughes

Wilma Chandler, Patty Kaliher, Savitri Kumaran, Ethel Kauahi

HEIVA’ S A HIT T

ahitian dance competition was the attraction at the two days of Heiva I Kauai that wrapped up Sunday at Kapaa Beach Park.

Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands, a halau from Huntington Beach, Calif., was the big winner for the competitive dance after sweeping the group competition while placing a number of winners in the age groups during the solo dance phase.

Tepairu Manea, president of the Heiva I Kauai Committee, unveiled activities including Tahitian drums, ukulele, jewelry, and fashion that mixed in with local crafts including lauhala weaving with Margaret Lovett, and fire knife dance with the Michael Drake ‘ohana.

Food offerings spanned local Hawaiian favorites to more ethnic specialties such as Bali, and the Kauai-made and produced Ono Pops that was key to beating the heat and humidity.

Del Basuel, Megan Taylor, Maka Kaneakua, Ridge Bejo

8 | TGIFR!DAY | August 9, 2019

DOG’S POV CAN’T CARRY ‘ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN’ ••• MOVIE REVIEW

LINDSEY BAHR ASSOCIATED PRESS

T

he film adaptation of “The Art of Racing in the Rain” seems to have been designed by algorithm to maximize appeal for a certain demographic of women aged around 30 and up. Let’s take the lovable dad from “This is Us” (Milo Ventimiglia, who happens to have some lasting goodwill from his introspective teen days on “Gilmore Girls”), pair him with an irresistible dog and show these two photogenic creatures experience life and all its greeting cardready moments together?

This, friends, is the definition of a trap.

In other words, you already know if this movie is for you.

For those on the fence, it’s not as sickly saccharine as you might expect (or fear). Director Simon Curtis, writers Mark Bomback and author Garth Stein and the appealing cast including Amanda Seyfried and Kevin Costner (who voices the dog) have some restraint and style. They know not to pack it on too thick. But no matter how you dress it up and no matter how many good songs you play, it’s still an ice cream sundae of emotion, cliches and Big Moments with a dog on top.

And for anyone expecting a race car movie? Let’s just say “Ford v Ferrari” is coming out later this year.

Stein helped adapt his bestselling 2008 novel about a wannabe race car driver, Denny (Ventimiglia) and

Photos by Doane Gregory/Twentieth Century Fox via AP

TOP: Milo Ventimiglia in a scene from “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” BOTTOM: Amanda Seyfried, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, and Milo Ventimiglia.

his dog Enzo for the screen (and tissue sales). It’s told from the dog’s point of view, although thankfully there’s no uncanny, mouth-moving CGI happening here.

Although there is a questionable fever dream of a scene involving a stuffed

zebra come to life. For the most part, though, Enzo is just a dog with an interior monologue.

Through that inner voice, we get to know that he feels he’s more human than dog and is deeply frustrated by the anatomical limitations

(flat tongue, he says) that prevent him from speaking English. At one point, as if echo-ing the existential crisis of “Toy Story 4’s” Forky, he even go so far to say he hates who he is.

Enzo has both a childlike innocence and a strange

worldliness, attributed mostly to the hours he spends watching television with Denny, and eventually Eve (Seyfried), who is suddenly competition for Denny’s affections. In the book, his soulfulness has a more definite source. He believes in a Mongolian legend that dogs who are ready will be reincarnated as humans, thus he spends his days trying to learn as much about the human condition as possible.

This idea, seemingly central to the book, is introduced curiously late in the film however. Maybe it was decided that the Mongolian

spirituality element might be alienating to a dog-obsessed demographic who already believes their pup has a soul on par with theirs?

In any event, Enzo bears witness to it all as the actors go about their business in the background, helping Denny through his ups and disproportionate downs and telling the audience what’s happening and what it means.

But at a certain point, the experience of watching this all unfold through Enzo’s eyes becomes the alienating element. You’re not experiencing the big moments yourself, you’re just experiencing Enzo experiencing them, leaving you to wonder if the story and performances alone are anything special without the dog’s metaphors and poeticisms.

In this respect the voyeurism wears a little thin, especially when the humans get involved in an all-encompassing legal battle. In some ways, it’s difficult to even evaluate as a movie at all.

Even so, it’s a league above some recent dog-tearjerkers. There’s obviously love behind every frame, and for some that’s more than enough.

“The Art of Racing in the Rain,” a 20th Century Fox and Disney release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for “thematic material.” Running time: 109 minutes. Two stars out of four.