Gran Turismo is what is described as a “biographical sports drama”, according to Wikipedia. However, what makes Gran Turismo particularly interesting is the origins of the biography part. Developed by Polyphony and Sony, Gran Turismo was originally a game before it was anything else.
Gran Turismo — also popularly known as GT simulator — is a driving simulator that allows the player to immerse themselves in an Formula 1 race. The game can be as advanced as the player wants it to be, with many add ons and game setups available such as different types of wheels, pedals, and even seats. As the game gained popularity, so too did the reality of it. With gamers spending hours immersing themselves in racing, they gained real skills as drivers. That’s where the movie comes in.
What is particularly cool about the movie is that it is based on a true story of the famous race car driver Jann Mardenborough. Mardenborough started off as a teen with a dream of racing but no economic ways of pursuing it, as racing cars is often a sport for the highest tax brackets. But, after he proved his skills in an international online competition, he had the chance to train at a “GT academy”. Gradually, Jann worked through the ranks and eventually was offered a spot on the Nissan racing team.
But, the story isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The idea of online gamers taking to actual cars and competing as real athletes was surrounded by taboo. Many racers believed that they would not be able to compete at their level, and didn’t deserve to race.
In both the movie and real life, Jann proved them very wrong. He went on to be an incredible driver, even through a tragic accident, and made a name for not only himself, but online gamers around the world. His story and how it came to be is miraculous, inspirational, and beautifully comes to life on the big screen. If you haven’t given Gran Turismo a watch, this reporter would definitely recommend it!
