At the Theater - "Rush" - Aptly titled, this sports biopic from Director Ron Howard (Willow, Ransom, Apollo 13, Cinderella Man and A Beautiful Mind) is pure celluloid adrenaline. The film is based upon the true story of two rival Formula One racers, Brit James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), and their epic back and forth duel during the 1976 season. This is vibrant, pulsating storytelling complete with that distinct 1970's feel- the two principal leads are outstanding in fully realized, well-written roles while the racing scenes are spectacularly filmed and edited. This is one of the very best sports films of all time and makes my personal list as well (yes, there's a distinction). That's some feat considering I'm not a car guy and can't stand the sport of racing.
Chris Hemsworth (Thor: The Dark World) continues to cement his status as one of Hollywood's top, younger leading men as the handsome, fun-loving British playboy James Hunt, though it's German actor Daniel Bruhl (Good Bye, Lenin!) that steals the show outright as the shrewd and meticulous Niki Lauda. The barbs between these two contrasting, but charismatic characters is priceless and it's rather refreshing that the two actors chosen to play their historic counterparts actually look like them. Lauda's fiery, near-fatal crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix and subsequent, improbable comeback to defend his World Championship standing is the stuff of sports legend- it's strange that a silver screen adaptation took this long.
Ron Howard's brisk, confident Direction surprised the hell out of me- he's done great stuff in the past, but I just didn't expect this level of impressive flair in his arsenal. The rapid-fire shots and editing on display in the various racing scenes is some of the sharpest, most coherent work I've seen in quite some time- who knew Opie could teach Michael Bay a thing or two about Directing action scenes? Rush's striking Cinematography is courtesy of Anthony Dod Mantle (28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire) while the highly effective original musical score is from Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, Batman Begins).
My chief complaint with the film involves the painfully thin characterizations of the women in our two racer's lives; Olivia Wilde is barely featured in the film as Hunt's wife, Model "Suzy Miller", while Alexandra Maria Lara spends the majority of her screen-time looking on with a pained expression as "Marlene Lauda". Both undeniably talented actresses are highly capable and deserved more material to work with.
It's also a bit of a letdown that we don't get a "cameo" of the man who stole Suzy Miller away from Hunt, Actor Richard Burton. Russel Crowe was rumored to play the hedonistic, alcoholic Welsh actor in a small role that sadly never materialized- how frickin' cool would that have been?! Racing superstar Mario Andretti is also mentioned as one of the speedsters involved with the climactic contest, but we never get a glimpse of him, either.
All things considered, Rush is two fantastic character studies for the price of one concerning the intense rivalry between two men who live for the thrill of competition and obsessed with winning. It's fun, compelling, tension-fueled stuff that reeled me in immediately and didn't let up until the finish line. Potential viewers should understand that they don't have to be racing fans to enjoy it. Get back on track and catch it in theaters.
Highly Recommended-
9.0 out of 10
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara and Pierfrancesco Favino
Running Time: 123 minutes
MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use
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