Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl star as legendary Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda respectively in this biographical drama set during the 1970s, at the peak of their heated rivalry. Both on the track and off, Hunt (Hemsworth) and Lauda (Bruhl) couldn't have been more different. Yet as much as Englishman Hunt's showy public persona clashed with Lauda's reputation for tightly-controlled perfectionism, both men remained bound together by one undeniable fact -- they were both among the best drivers ever to grace the racetrack. Olivia Wilde and Alexandra Maria Lara co-star in a film directed by Academy Award-winner Ron Howard, and penned by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, Hereafter). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde.
Release Date: Sep 20, 2013
Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use
Runtime: 2 hr. 3 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama
Review:
People that know me know I love my sports. I’m a fan of pretty much any and every sport but I’ve never been a fan of sports movies because they all have the same trajectory and beats. That being said it takes alot for a sports movie to capture my attention the way Rush did. Ron Howard’s love of the subject matter is readily apparent from the get go. He directs the racing sequences with a white knuckled ferocity that delivers the most visceral experience I’ve ever had in a movie about racing. His film does dip in some of the non racing sequences mainly because the script lacks subtly, beating themes into your head instead of letting them flow organically. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl both impress in their roles as Hunt and Lauda. Hemsworth’s natural on screen charisma is perfect for the role. Hemsworth is believable and likeable even though the character is a bit of a jerk. Brühl is given the meatier part of Lauda and he’s easily the most interesting thing onscreen, outside of Hemsworth’s unnaturally chiseled body. Brühl performance is measured but on point, don’t be surprised if his name comes up during awards season. Sadly the characters don’t feel tactile, mostly because of the script. They are types more than they are real life people and while it’s not a sin it would have been nice to get inside the heads of both characters a bit more. Something the wonderful documentary Senna did so well. Still, Rush is a quality “prestige” film which may get some nods come awards season.
A-
you definitely liked this more than i did. i thought the characters were more caricatures than types, very flatly written. extremely disappointing movie to me, minus the thrilling action scenes.
ReplyDeleteI know it's not a perfect film and there are plenty of flaws but I could help but be engaged. I do agree to an extend about them being caricatures, they rarely felt like flesh and blood characters.
DeleteI wasn't quite sure what you would make of Rush but I am ridiculously pleased with the A- score!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with you on all points although I am probably a bit more relieved that you that the film turned out to be a good one!
Senna *sob* still haven't gotten over it
K :-)
I was going to take a lot for me to like this film and it really impressed me. It's not as strong as Senna but it's a very good film, Senna probably deserves it's own film.
DeleteI generally have a the same problem with sports films, even though I love watching sports.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not particularly familiar with the true story, I want to watch Rush at point, mostly for Hemsworth and Brühl's performances.
-James
I didn't know anything about the true story and I'm not a racing fan but this really worked on so many levels....
DeleteAlthough I'm not much of a F1 fan and I totally don't like Niki Lauda, I start to get more and more interested in the movie because of all its amazing reviews...
ReplyDeleteI not a fan or familiar with F1 at all so it's all new to me. Niki Lauda isn't portrayed as some warm and fuzzy guy, I think the film is pretty fair to both guys. It's a solid film all around.
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