Rush is one of those nail-biting-adrenaline overflowing-edge-of-the-seat films where you will hardly get time to pass the popcorn to the next person or even blink and if you don’t have an interval at the theater, then you might have to postpone your loo break as well. Based on rivalry between drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda in 1976 Formula One season, Rush is one hell of a roller coaster ride, a gripping drama that will keep you hooked throughout.
Rush is written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard who is famously remembered as the director of the Oscar Winning Drama “The Beautiful Mind”. This is actually the second collaboration of the writer-director after Frost Nixon. Rush stars Chris Hemworth (who is also fondly remembered as Thor) playing James Hunt and German actor Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda in central roles.
Rush kicks off with the rivalry between James and Nicky at 1970 Formula 3 and it goes on till the riveting final Grand Prix of 1976 Formula One season. The rain-soaked climatic sequence at Japanese Grand Prix in Rush is one of the best filmed and most tensed moments I have spent in a theater till date. As the race began amidst the misty and foggy ambience in Tokyo, like everyone else in the theater, I was at the edge of my seat ogling at the screen with terrific excitement.
The film depicts the journey of two sportsmen who have completely different perspectives of the sports as well as life. The film also teaches that it’s not just fearlessness but dedication and discipline that make you a real champion.
Rush is a very fast paced captivating drama and the screenplay is absolutely gripping. The film is stylishly shot and all credit goes to the masterful cinematographer and director for setting up the terrific atmospheric thrill and creating a perfect 70s look and feel right from the beginning. The racing sequences which are actually integration of live action and digital effects are absolute breath-taking and you will never feel bored. And I know I have said this before but the last race in Japan with the slow-mo sequence is pure awesomeness.
Rush benefits to a large extent by the brilliant and powerful performances from its two main leads portraying the pivotal characters and that’s where it rises above from being just a sports film to a film about two competitors fighting for the title, about true sportsmanship, humanity and a lot more. Hunt’s character is about recklessness, flamboyance, arrogance and guts. For him, life is a race and he needs to be ahead of everyone in every lap. Niki on the other hand is more focused, disciplined and manipulative. But the common thing is the desire and willingness to win and that’s what binds them together. Hemworth and Bruhl shine in their respective roles and provide truly remarkable performances. Their beautiful portrayal of angst, frustration, determination and the taste of victory gives the characters a new dimension.
The best part about Rush is, even though they are arch rivals, they still have mutual respect and admiration which is actually the essence of true sportsmanship. There are couple of brilliantly moving scenes in the film; the one where Hunt comes to apologize to Lauda and takes the responsibility for his accident and in reply Lauda says he was responsible to bring him back as well. Because when Lauda was battling for his life in the hospital, and Hunt was winning races, it was enough to inspire him to come back to the circuit.
The dialogues are so deliciously written here that it will leave you stunned. The scene where Lauda was going for the final race, he looked at his girlfriend but didn’t say a word and what followed was just priceless expressions of conveying emotions through silence.
Over all Rush is a thrilling, exciting and emotional ride. The Rush has raised the bar quite high for any future film to be made about sports. Rush is quite thought provoking at parts and much more than just a popcorn flick. Even if you don’t have any interest in Formula One racing, I would recommend you to watch this and I bet, you will still get soaked in the saga of rivalry of two fearless souls.
Cinema Paradiso 