I’m a big fan of car racing. I have seen NASCAR down here at Homestead-Miami Raceway and even a Formula One race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So I was psyched to go see Ron Howard’s new film “Rush” about an intense rivalry between two Formula One racers.
But I realize not every college student is going to be interested in a movie like that (not when a movie like “Don Jon” opened that same weekend).
However, if you are interested in such a movie, then go see “Rush.”
This movie leaves you on the edge of your seat. It’s a perfect mixture of fast-paced car racing and out-of-control lifestyles with an intense rivalry at the heart of it all.
“Rush” is based on the true rivalry between British driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austrian driver Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl). Hunt is the playboy, arrogant, risk-taker driver who has a passion for racing cars. Lauda, on the other hand, is out to prove something and focuses on the science of making the car go faster. These differences are at the heart of the Hunt/Lauda rivalry.
Hemsworth (better known as Thor) is fitting in his role. Beautiful and flamboyant, he plays Hunt’s recklessness well and there are moments where you wish he’d take better care of himself like his wife Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde) does. Bruhl is perfect as Hunt’s polar opposite Lauda, and is so rude and stuck-up you really don’t want him winning any races.
Until that fateful day on August 1, 1976. But I shan’t spoil it for you (look it up if you really want to know, it is a true story after all).
Even if you don’t know anything else about Formula One racing, this movie does a pretty good job in explaining things. Like the different tires they use for a wet or dry track (which becomes essential in one scene).
In case you do want to know something before going into this movie: Formula One (F1 for short) is the highest class of single-seater auto racing. Racing seasons consist of races known as Grand Prix held throughout the world. F1 races are in multi-turn circuit tracks, and cars can reach speeds up to 220 mph.
At those high speeds, one slight miscalculation can spell disaster for the racer. A fact Howard reminds us of throughout the film.
That being said, there are very graphic images in the film. If you get queasy easily, some scenes might be too stomach-turning. The images and scenes are necessary, though, and show the dangers Formula One drivers faced where it is said, “twenty-five drivers start Formula One each year, and two of us die.”
It’s surreal. One moment the racers are on top of the world and the next, everything goes horribly wrong.
This movie has it’s humorous moments to adding relief to all the racing, rivalries and accidents. And though Hunt and Lauda may have hated each other, they also showed great respect and sportsmanship toward one another. And that’s what makes this movie so great.
I give Rush three checkered flags (or an A) and an Oscar nomination to Ron Howard for best director. Maybe even a nomination for best film. It was a pretty awesome movie even if most college kids might not find it interesting.
