Rush
Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl
Directed by Ron Howard
High-octane action meets fierce competition in Ron Howards adrenaline-fueled look at historical car racing in the exceptional new film Rush. Based on the popular 1970s rivalry between British Formula One driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), the story wastes no time delving into the personal lives of the two characters and tracing their lasting feud.
Hemsworth displays his best acting yet as the brash and boozing Hunt whose lust for life is juxtaposed effectively with Laudas technical prowess and stern discipline, which Bruhl tackles masterfully. Rush not only captures the sights and sounds of the era, it also feels like it was plucked from the generation as cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle keeps the picture gritty.
Howard makes skillful use of close-ups during much of the action, quite literally putting the audience inside the cramped confines of the cars as they race at breakneck speeds through all manner of inclement weather. Screenwriter Peter Morgans (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) script maintains a delicate balance between the central figures and offers some unexpectedly profound sentiments in the movies finale.
Unfortunately, the primary love interests (Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara) of the two racers often take a backseat to the main drama and Howard lays on the foreshadowing rather thick in one sequence.
Minor quibbles aside though, Rush is a return to form for the filmmaker and packs a visceral punch.
