There was probably a time when playing video games at home for lengthy/unhealthy periods of time would lead to a parent saying something along the lines of “you’ve been playing that thing for too long”, “it’s not good for you”, “you have no real friends”, “when was the last time you washed”, and the classic “you can’t make money from playing video games”.

It’s amazing how things can change, at least as far as that last remark is concerned, because you very much can make a living from playing video games – if you’re good enough. For instance, a total pool prize of over $40 million was on offer in 2021 for a Dota (Defense of the Ancients) tournament. And in 1997 The Guinness World of Records recognised Dennis “Thresh” Fong as the first professional gamer.

This film however, is next level gaming stuff, as it takes a racing sim gamer and puts him in the seat of a professional racing car. Oh and it’s based on a true story.

Plugged into his PlayStation in his bedroom in Wales is teen Jann (Archie Madekwe). His game of choice is the racing simulator Gran Tursimo, which he’s pretty good at, which is hardly surprising considering the amount of hours he’s put into it.

That doesn’t stop him getting grief from his old man (Djimon Housou), who used to be a professional footballer for a local Welsh club, and doesn’t approve of his son spending so much time gaming.

But his attitude could change when marketing exec Dany Moore (Orlando Bloom), convinces Nissan that these racing gamers are so good, there’s a chance that they could do well in real races. So to prove a point, the GT Academy is set up, where the best in the world compete against each other for a handful of spots within the academy, where the lucky chosen few get the opportunity to race for real.

No one is more surprised than Jann that he made the cut, but little does he know this is just the start of his journey into the competitive world of professional racing.

Although this is produced by Sony, released through their own film company (Columbia), this is not a film based on a video game. It is instead a fascinating story based on the incredible rise of the young Brit who took the professional motoring world by storm, with his only skill being that of playing the game Gran Turismo.

And this underdog tale is masterfully handled by South African director Neill Blomkamp, who bounces back from his truly awful 2021 film Demonic.

A lot of the film rests on the young shoulders of Madekwe, in his first starring role; and it has to be said, he nails it, as it’s his journey that is key to the film’s success. He’s certainly aided by his relationship with driver-turned-mechanic Jack Salter, played by David Harbour, in what is essentially an extended father son relationship. Considering the nerdy driving element of the film, it’s this relationship that gives it its much needed heart.

And the driving scenes are handled superbly, making them truly dynamic and energetic, often making you feel as if you’re in the driving seat of one of these cars, travelling at pant-wetting speeds.

It may well be the case that the film’s title doesn’t quite do the film itself justice, carrying the exclusive Sony game title as it does, which could make an audience think it’s a game-to-film tie-in, which are historically really rather smelly, with this is very much not.

Which is a shame, as it’s such an original title, helmed by a director on top of his game, so to speak, offering a genuinely remarkable and exhilarating story.

And if nothing else it proves that playing video games aren’t necessarily a waste of time, as Jann Mardenborough has the trophies to prove it.