By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels)
I was on the fence about seeing this film but when I discovered Ron Howard is the director I knew I wanted to see it because I have a tremendous amount of respect for his work. RUSH is a re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) (IMDB).
This film is a high octane testosterone fest which is exactly what I expected. I didn’t follow Formula One racing in the seventies, not that I am trying to date myself but I simply wasn’t interested. However, I enjoyed the methodical manner in which Howard takes the viewer through this harrowing story. Hemsworth is perfectly cast as the head strong, flamboyant race car driver who relishes being in the spotlight in order to strut his bravado by racing extremely expensive cars under at times extreme and varying conditions in which one wrong move could kill him instantly. I must also note Bruhl expertly portrays Hunt’s rival in a more subdued but equally intense manner. The chemistry is palpable and with the expertise of Howard it grows and builds until the apex of the story at the end of the film.
The special effects in this film are spectacular. Howard is a master at not only telling a story with acting and words but with visuals as well. The high speed races are finely orchestrated to help build the momentum and tension as the film progresses. I am reminded of the scene in APOLLO 13 of the space shuttle lifting off and we are not just watching it from one point of view but because of the angles and movement feel like we are part of the action. I felt the same watching this film because the story is told from all angles and perspectives; inside the car engine, different views of the driver including what he sees as he is driving.
As a whole this film will get the viewer’s engines revving visually as well as emotionally. It is a wonderfully written, acted and visually made film that I would recommend to anyone.