The Last Race

The Last Race is a 2018 sports documentary film directed by Michael Dweck. The film celebrates the gritty, high-octane world of amateur stock car racing in the United States, focusing on a decaying East Coast rural community’s struggle to retain its blue-collar identity in the face of modern economic changes and cultural shift. The film heavily features real-life experiences of Marty Berger, Barbara Cromarty, and Jim Cromarty, providing an introspective look into their unique journey, passion, and uncanny resilience.

Where other films see the world of motorsports through its superstars and internationally known figures, The Last Race instead shifts gears to shine a spotlight on the lesser-known but just as passionate local heroes. The film opens in the Riverhead Raceway, Long Island's last remaining stock car racetrack. Here, the audience is introduced to Marty Berger, an ambitious driver, and husband-wife team Barbara and Jim Cromarty, the raceway's dedicated owners. This venerable local arena has been a focal point for their community of race enthusiasts for over six decades.

The cinematography of The Last Race is deeply evocative, capturing the unfettered spirit of Americana against the backdrop of roaring engines and spinning tires. The film is yet more than just a sports documentary. It serves as a social commentary on the decay and attempted preservation of a small-town culture clinging to its last vestiges in the face of relentless real estate development. The Riverhead Raceway is presented as a metaphorical last bastion of resistance against the homogenizing forces of corporate America and the erosion of cultural identity that come with it.

Director Michael Dweck, a Long Island native himself, delivers a deeply personal and emotionally charged depiction of the struggles and triumphs of the community. Through his lens, the audience witnesses the devotion of the raceway team, their relentless struggle to keep the last piece of their cherished tradition alive despite mounting economic pressures. Every frame expertly captures the vibrancy and vitality of this unique and endangered community.

In The Last Race, Marty Berger is the embodiment of the rugged, resolute spirit of the grassroots motor racing community. His passion for the track is palpable, and his dedication to the sport transcends competition, speaking to a deeper metaphor about man's need for speed and confrontation. Barbara and Jim Cromarty embody the heart of the community. Their stewardship of the Raceway not only manifests in maintaining the establishment but also in nurturing the people, memories, and history that the raceway represents.

The film seamlessly weaves between thrilling racing sequences and slower, intimate moments. From the high-speed skirmishes on the track to the heartfelt interviews and vivid human portraits of the community, The Last Race builds a mesmerizing tapestry of a subculture defined by the love of racing and communal legacy.

One important highlight of The Last Race is its soundscape. The roar of the engines, the screech of tires, and the exhilaration of the cheering crowd all combine to immerse the viewer in a sensory experience that transcends the mere visuals on screen. These cumulative effects effectively recreate the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of a real racing event.

At its core, The Last Race is an ode to the enduring spirit, not just of American racing culture, but of community, tradition, and grassroot sports in general. In this raw, unvarnished tribute, Dweck passionately advocates for the preservation of unique, local identities in the face of modernity’s relentless advance. Through the struggles and dreams of Marty, Barbara, and Jim, The Last Race eloquently articulates the importance of maintaining cultural diversity, preserving beloved communal traditions, and protecting shared memories from oblivion.

The Last Race is, in all aspects, an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that’s as much about the dust and dirt of the racetrack as it is about the indomitable spirit of the racing community. A visual and emotional journey, this film will appeal to sport enthusiasts, lovers of human interest stories, and anyone who cherishes the idea of fiercely holding onto one’s roots and traditions, even as the world relentlessly evolves around them.