Rush: Movie Review

Ron Howard’s “Rush” is based on the real life rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) an Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) during the 1970s.  Hunt was reckless on and off the race track. When he wasn’t driving, he was partying.  Lauda was the complete opposite.  He lives his life by a strict set of rules which would not allow for any distractions or compromise.

The differences between Hunt and Lauda nearly becomes fatal.  The most famous example is during a race in dangerous weather conditions that results in a tragic accident which causes Lauda to become severely injured.  Lauda wanted the race to be canceled, but Hunt did not agree, and got the rest of the drivers to vote on proceeding with the race.  

As great as many of the racing sequences are, it is the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda that is the real driving force in “Rush”.  Hemsworth does a more than decent job here, but it is the performance by Brühl that is Academy-Award worthy.  He is one of the major reasons to go see “Rush”. 

Olivia Wilde is wasted here as Hunt’s wife Suzy Miller, but the rest of the supporting cast which consists of mostly Hunt’s pit crew are great.  The screenplay by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) is handled wonderfully under Howard’s direction.  If you like biopics, or formula one racing, or just a really good movie, make sure to rush out to see “Rush”.

By: Marc Ferman