Film Review: Senna [dir. Asif Kapadia; 2010]

Ah, the dangers of testosterone. When it's being useful, the chemical promotes dynamism and fearlessness. But when channelled along more dubious paths, it leads to resentment, rivalry and downright foolishness. The far-reaching effects of the substance - or, to be less abstruse, the various facets of masculinity - are the central theme of this gripping documentary about the career of Brazil's ill-fated Formula 1 driver, Ayrton Senna. Using only pre-existing footage (and the audio of some newly recorded interviews), Kapadia paints a picture of a fairly complex man whose increasing success appeared to lead to heightened cynicism and bitterness. Despite what several critics have claimed, there are no obvious villains in this story and certainly no-one emerges as a saint. A frenetic, dangerous environment such as a Formula 1 track is bound to bring out the very best and the very worst in people, and it is Kapadia's ability to capture the richness of humanity that makes his film so compelling.