Rush (2013)

Too much of everything

Really Surprised!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Ron Howard is an amazing director. While he has had his ups (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon) and downs (The Dilemma, Inferno), he generally has made consistent in being a top notch director. Even his most recent film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, while not the best Star Wars movie, was fun and exciting. Here he is with stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Daniel Bruhl (Captain America: Civil War) in a true story about legendary Formula 1 racers James Hunt (Hemsworth), who is a playboy, and Niki Lauda (Bruhl), who is methodical and brilliant.Both actors are at the top of their game here. Hemsworth proves that he is more than just a man with a hammer, thunderbolts and lightning (although I do love Thor); he is charming, captivating and charismatic. In this movie, the ladies love him and he loves the ladies. He gives life to what could of been a one-note character. But it is Bruhl who steals the show in his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Niki Lauda. In my opinion, Bruhl should've also been nominated for the Oscar in the same category. He gives the performance of his career here, way better than his performance in Captain America: Civil War. You care about his character; as a matter of fact, I found myself cheering for both drivers. That's the mark of a good movie for me about rivals; when you find yourself fascinated by both sides of the spectrum, you know something was done right. And something was definitely done right here.All in all, an amazing piece of work that is capped off by stunning direction and brilliant performances by the two leads. Why this wasn't even considered for Best Picture at the Oscars, I will never know.

This movie was the best race car movie I have seen. Well shot and shows well on the big screen. Acting surprised me in a good way since I wasn't familiar with the two leads. Good story with a competitive edge keeps the viewers interested.

Everything about this film clicks really well: the writing, music, lead actors, Ron Howard's direction...in fact I think this is one of his absolute best films, and I wonder why the rest of his films aren't all like this. He shows an eye for human drama and peril, and captures both excellently. As other reviews here attest, this works as a character study of two real life figures, and by the end of the film you feel you know both of them well. However Howard also does justice to the era (music, clothing, etc.) and Formula One itself - the danger, the pure audacity. Also of note is Hans Zimmer's confident score.

Not being a racing fan, what intrigued me about the story was the head game rivalry between Formula 1 drivers Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). The film begins with Lauda's narration, so one assumes from the outset that he would be the principal character, but the picture is pretty even handed in it's treatment of both men. Diametrically opposed in both temperament and style, Lauda comes across almost boorish in his approach to racing, while Hunt represents the playboy sportsman looking to score with women virtually every moment he's not on the track. As far as that goes, the film probably overdid it in that regard, especially when an injured Hunt with his guts practically hanging out decides to have a fling with a hospital nurse. With all the name calling, middle finger waving and salty language between the two men, I wasn't left disappointed as the story was winding down, in as much as Hunt came to respect his rival as a worthy opponent on the race track. It appeared to go both ways actually, even as one or the other had to accept inevitable defeat from one race to the next. As far as the race footage itself, exciting enough I guess for fans who go for it. For this viewer it was an incidental part of the story.