"Rush" Review

We all have that person in our life that drives us to push ourselves further. They aren't your friend, because in your eyes, they are your enemy. Sometimes the rivalry is playful and all in good fun. In the case of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, it was ferocious and obsessive.

Rush is the story of the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda. Two formula racing drivers with a longing to be world champion. When things get really heated, it becomes clear that this is about more than just racing.

In order for a sports movie to work, there needs to be at least a shadow of a doubt towards the outcome of the ending. It doesn't matter if it is based on a true story like Moneyball or this movie, or if it is a fictional story like Million Dollar Baby. If it at all feels certain that the protagonist(s) is going to either win or lose, all momentum is gone, and there is nothing to retain the viewers interest. For example, lets say someone makes a movie about the World Champion 1986 New York Mets. You could walk into that movie knowing EXACTLY how the events played out in real life. Yet if the director and the writers do their job correctly, you will be at the edge of your seat until Jesse Orosco strikes out Marty Barrett at the end of Game 7.

Ron Howard and his team solve this problem head on. Rather than setting up either one of the racers as the hero, they create a dual protagonism. Both racers are treated equally, with no clear indication of who Howard wants us to cheer for. They each represent different qualities, and both have something the other lacks. Lauda is a calculating genius, but lacks people skills. Hunt on the other hand is charming and personable, but lacks a grounded sense of responsibility. This is a fascinating conundrum on the typical sports movie. Whoever you choose to root for, you won't be wrong to do so.

Chris Hemsworth takes on a role different from his usual fantasy/action fare. He is charming and sophisticated, yet at the same time he is carefree. He brings an interesting playboy angle to the role, and proves that he doesn't need a hammer or a sword in his hands to be interesting. When he was first cast as Thor, I predicted that he would develop into one of the most bankable and talented stars in Hollywood. I'm glad to discover I wasn't wrong.

However, Andrew's Standout is Daniel Brühl, whom you remember as Frederik Zoller in Inglourious Basterds. He brings a cold, calculating side to Niki Lauda, one that makes sense within the confines of the character. Lauda isn't afraid to speak his mind, and Brühl isn't afraid to take him there. He is realistically anti-social, fiercely determined, and unrelentingly competitive. A Supporting Actor nomination isn't out of the cards.

I'm normally one to talk about the style of a film, but Howard is a visionary. The cinematography here is derivative of the 1970's style. The POV shots are rather inventive, be they from a person or an object. Howard is one of the most stylistic directors in the business.

See this movie. I personally guarantee that it will come up around Oscar time. It's one of the most innovative sports movies in recent years.

A-