On your mark. Get set. Go.
The speed and excitement of the Ron Howard’s 1970’s racing drama, Rush, thrills.
Rush is the true, untold story of the rivalry between Formula-1 drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Howard takes on the hyper-dangerous sport that revolutionized the world during its golden age with style, but the relationship between Hunt and Lauda is what really sets this film apart.
Marvel’s Asgard Avenger, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) portrays the reckless, party animal of one of England’s most famous Formula-1 drivers, James Simon Wallis Hunt. Hemsworth’s acting is phenomenal. Thor will be forgotten when watching Rush, replaced by the dangerous determination Hemsworth expresses when sitting behind the wheel of the fastest automobiles in the world. In contrast to Hemsworth is the hard-working, serious Austrian driver, Niki Lauda played by Daniel Brühl. Best known for his role in the dark comedy Inglorious Bastards, Brühl undertakes a role of a lifetime and delivers an Oscar-worthy performance. Olivia Wilde shows some serious acting chops as Hunt’s wife, but she is somewhat disappointing due to lack of screen time.
Rush is the first movie Ron Howard has directed in almost four years. Howard is notoriously famous for his works in Oscar-winning movies like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind. He is known to an older generation for creating the classic Pre-90’s film, Parenthood. Rush stands along with these movie giants, and I would even go so far as to rank Rush close to the top.
So why is this movie so captivating? At first it feels as if the pacing is slow, but the first fifteen minutes are really used to create a structure for the excitement that is to come. Due to the fact that Formula-1 racing was not an American iconic sport in the 70’s, Hunt and Lauda’s races were not even broadcast. Nevertheless, the true story of Rush is one that deserves attention.
The cinematography and camera placement is unbelievable. It effectively creates the experience of watching racing first hand. The roars of the engines are enticing and riveting, but this tension is skillfully offset by a surprising amount of humor. I laughed, I cried and I clung to the edge of my seat during Rush’s exhilarating two-hour and three minute run time.
The movie depicts life in the 70’s, so there are some sex scenes and some references to drugs. They all serve a purpose though, used to tell accurately expose an important part of our history.
This combative rivalry will leave you breathless. Yet, the dynamic between these legendary athletes is threaded much deeper, resulting in a friendship that lasts a lifetime. When the credits rolled, my theater immediately reacted roar of applause. I give Rush two thumbs up and three if I could.
Rush hits theaters September 27th.
