Review 270: Rush
After a catastrophic crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring that could have killed him, Formula One driver Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) returns to face his rival James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) in their pursuit of the 1976 World Championship at Fuji in Japan.
The plot is a work of sheer genius. Much like Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon (also written by screenwriter Peter Morgan) it's about two very different historical figures rivalling with each other.
Frost/Nixon works better as a power struggle whereas Rush is better in terms of characterisation
and showing how two racing drivers went about their lives and how their conflicting egos came into conflict with each other.
Two men who shared the same passion but had different approaches
In terms of their differences, Hunt was more of a playboy and liked girls and the sense of danger (just like James Bond) he was always partying and enjoying life.
In contrast, Niki Lauda was sincere and honest. He was very meticulous and took racing very seriously. He relied on the mechanics of the car as well as skill to win his races.
Two things they did have in common tough was that they both liked danger and success.
What makes the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt so engaging and gripping is how beautifully it contrasts these two F1 drivers.
The film gives both people equal weight and importance to the points of view of both James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The conflict is never one-sided which is a testament to the strength of Peter Morgan as a screenwriter.
As a result, it provides us, as an audience, with a much richer story than depicting it as a very black-and-white conflict.
Not only that, but both men had strengths in different areas e.g. both of them were very good racing drivers but Lauda was the one who was very knowledgeable about cars and the their construction e.g. making it light so that he could win and the best chances of winning whereas Hunt on the other hand was very charming to both men and women: He was always throwing parties and having sex with beautiful girls and living each day as if it was his last.
Lauda took his passion very seriously and Hunt was intent on living life to the full and their two very different personalities made a really fascinating and thought provoking character study between these two men.
It may be a film about a rivalry but it depicts it in a positive way as the two men in the end helped each other unwittingly and they develop a mutual respect for one another.
Another thing that makes this movie so great is the tension, in all my years of reviewing films few movies have been as tense and have had me on the edge of my seat. Literally the whole time I was watching Rush I was either gripped, on the edge of my seat or biting my finger nail, not just because the race scenes were exciting (and they actually were) but because the way Hunt and Lauda's rivalry was portrayed on screen was so powerful. Their rivalry is so extraordinary that it's a story you could only tell if it was true otherwise no one would believe it. It truly is one of those films you have to see to believe It keeps you on your toes, keeps you waiting for the next scene and thats another high point of this film the tension keeps rising.
Director Ron Howard's direction is tense, the cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty and exoticness of Europe in the 1970's, the locations are stunning, the scenery is breathtaking, the score by Hans Zimmer is brilliant, the race scenes are expertly staged and exciting, thrilling, enthraling to watch from start to finish - you get the sense that you're actually in the cockpit with either Hunt and/or Lauda and your watching the race unfold with them for their individual P.O.Vs.
The production design (recreating the 1970's) is fantastic, the costumes are colourful, the make up is rich, the effects are tremendous, the sound effects are spot on
The acting is terrific, Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl are spectacular in their roles as James Hunt and Niki Lauda respectively. Their two contrasting persona's are remarkable. They bring out the passion that these two drivers had for racing.
Both men were excellent at this particular and both go about it in different ways. However they both have a mutual respect for each other and it's facinating to watch that rivalry grow a develop.
Olivia Wilde is magnetic as Suzy Miller, James Hunt's wife, his reckless behaviour causes her to leave him which for me makes her the poler oposite of Hunt. She also puts on a tremendous english accent.
Alexander Maria Lara is luminous and lovely as Marlene Knaus, Niki Lauda's love interest, she deeply cares about Niki so much and really loves and feels for and their relationship is very moving.
Rush is finely tuned sports film and an absolutely gripping one from start to the finish line, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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