A film review by Brian Orndorf for blu-ray.com on May 21, 2015.
As an actor, Paul Newman tried to lead a normal life, finding the big spotlight of fame uncomfortable when it couldn’t be used to his advantage. Building an iconic career in film and television, Newman had difficulty finding balance to his life, with soulful clarity found in a most unlikely place: car racing. Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman is a highly informative and loving tribute to the star’s secret life, striving to identify a thirst for competition and speed that drove him to seek pleasure on the race track, where his marquee name couldn’t provide an advantage when strapped in behind a wheel.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman marks the documentary debut for director Adam Carolla, who shares credit with Nate Adams. A car enthusiast and Newman aficionado, Carolla takes special care of the subject, striving to generate a reverent tone for the feature while also digging into the particulars of what came to be a second career for the actor. Of course, as with any story, Winning starts at the beginning, with sibling Arthur Newman describing just what kind of man Paul was during their Ohio upbringing, discussing a level of loyalty that would carry on for the rest of his life, in marriage (Joanne Woodward is only seen in news clips), movies, and racing.
Quickly jumping to Newman’s star-making years, Carolla focuses on the 1969 feature Winning, which provided the actor with his first taste of speed, sharing elation with co-star Robert Wagner as a hobby was born. Guided by driving instructor Bob Bondurant, Newman developed an understanding of racing fundamentals, slowly shaping himself into a competitor, with this dedication to practice and trials putting a strain on his big screen career. After all, the threat of injury was great, leaving studio executives nervous about Newman’s possibly reckless ways, failing to understand the discipline and endurance of racing, finding the actor gradually building a name for himself. Newman was a slow learner, but he was piecing together skill one lap at a time, aided by pal and racing partner Jim “Fitzy” Fitzgerald.
Winning investigates the curse of Newman’s fame, where spectators filled bleachers to watch him race, while press remained pushy, slowing his assimilation into the sport. A man who prided himself on privacy, attention was unwanted, with Newman enjoying the limited exposure racing provided him. There’s also an understanding of Newman’s competitive nature (born from his early years as a failed jock), with racing, unlike acting, providing a clear definition of performance. Instead of articulating art, Newman could prove his mettle in a physical manner, defining position on the track. We also learn of his compassionate side, with Newman’s support of black driver Willy T. Ribbs resulting in a champion who broke the color barrier.
Carolla shellacs Winning in racing lingo and insider knowledge, making the documentary a little difficult to understand for those new to the sport. Clearly, the subject is important to Carolla, with respect for Newman’s achievements flowing throughout the feature, while interviewees such as Robert Redford and Mario Andretti share thoughts on their friend, with everyone coming to the conclusion that Paul Newman was an honorable man who liked to act but loved to race. To break up the any repetition, Winning includes a segment exploring Newman’s fondness for pranks, frequently using his impish sense of humor to entertain his inner circle.
Darkness is also included in Winning, though Carolla has a funny way with transitions, moving from a sobering inspection of Newman’s vulnerability on the track, where crashes were common, to a study of his salad dressing empire and the birth of his charity work. It’s a jarring cut, perhaps identifying Carolla’s hunger to fit everything into the picture (which runs 80 minutes). Tonality is sacrificed, but a fulfilling sense of Newman’s years are captured, watching victories and losses shape his autumnal years, while a friendship with Tom Cruise provided the driver with a famous protégée, bringing additional publicity to the sport.
Winning achieves its goal of illumination, providing appreciation for the actor’s journey into racing, threading through his life’s achievements. Instead of simply identifying a hobby, Carolla has delved entirely into the nuances of the sport and its influence on Newman, adding dimension to the actor that may even surprise longtime fans. [Orndorf’s rating: 7 out of 10 stars]
Labels: action, auto-racing, biography, documentary, sport
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