“Rush” takes moviegoers on a dramatic joyride that focuses on a legendary Formula One rivalry. (Poster property of Universal, Exclusive Media & Revolution Films)
By: Jacob Elyachar
One of the most intense rivalries in sporting history was between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
Both men were impeccable drivers that raced during the 1976 Formula Run series.
Their story was brought to life thanks to celebrated film director Ron Howard and screenwriter Peter Morgan.
There were several aspects that made Rush, the incredible film that it was…the performances from Hemsworth and Bruhl, screenplay and the unbelievable cinematography.
At the center of the historical drama were Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl, who play Hunt and Lauda respectfully. Both men perfectly portrayed Hunt and Lauda respectively. It was interesting to see how the actors perfectly portrayed the rebellious playboy and the brilliant but introverted racecar drivers.
Two scenes that movie watchers should keep an eye out for that compares each driver side-by-side are their first meeting where both men stated that the other was an “asshole” and the final scene, where both men reflected on their rivalry. Outside of the Marvel movies, this was probably one of Hemsworth’s best films and I think that Bruhl has a great career ahead.
Screenwriter Peter Morgan delivered a superb screenplay that translated very well on the Silver Screen. From the zings that both frenemies used on each other to the racing terminology that was sprinkled throughout the film, Morgan kept the audience interested in this two-hour and two-minute feature film.
One final item that made Rush standout was its quality cinematography. Anthony Dod Mantle created incredible scenes that had the audience at the edge of their seats. In addition, keep an eye out for the final Formula One race in Japan, as the Rush production team used the elements to their advantage as each raindrop was brilliantly captured onto film.
Final thoughts & grade: Rush is one of the best sports films of the 2010s because it perfectly transports audiences back to the 1970s and puts them directly into the crossfire between the two drivers. In addition, this is one of Ron Howard’s strongest films that could translate to nominations in the wintertime. Not matter if you are into Formula One racing or not, you must check out this film. A
