MOVIE REVIEW: Rush

GENRE: True-life drama

RUNNING TIME: 122 minutes

STARRING: Chris Hemsworth (Snow White and the Huntsman), Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds), Alexandra Maria Lara (The Reader)

DIRECTED BY: Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind)

RATING:

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate.

PLOT: It all begins at a Formula Three race at the Crystal Palace circuit in England in 1970, where rookie drivers hope to be signed up for Formula One. James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) are two very skilled racing car drivers out to impress. The fierce rivalry between Hunt and Lauda begins after their cars spin out and Hunt wins the race.

After a fall out with his father, Lauda takes out a bank loan and buys his way into the BRM Formula One team. Hunt moves up the ranks when the team he races for, Hesketh Racing, also enters Formula One. Lauda then joins Scuderia Ferrari with Regazzoni and wins his first championship in 1975. In a crushing blow to Hunt, Hesketh fails to secure a sponsor and is forced to withdraw their entry. Hunt escapes into a fog of alcohol and drugs, until he hears news of Emerson Fittipaldi walking out on the McLaren racing team. Hunt grabs the opportunity and the fierce rivalry between him and Lauda continues.

The 1976 Formula One season begins, and McLaren suffers a number of setbacks with their cars, while Lauda continues clocking up the points. At the German Grand Prix, Lauda calls a pre-race meeting requesting that the race be cancelled due to the severe weather conditions. His request is vetoed and against a backdrop of torrential rain and fog, the drivers take to the track. During the third lap, a suspension arm in Lauda’s Ferrari breaks and the car crashes violently into the embankment before it bursts into flames. Lauda suffers third degree burns to his head and toxic fumes poison his lungs. Against all odds, Lauda returns to the track to win the Italian Grand Prix.

The 1976 season comes to an end at the rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix, at the base of Mount Fuji, where both men grapple with life-altering decisions.

THE GOOD: James Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl are perfectly cast in their roles. Two outsize personalities in fierce conflict, both are chasing the same prize. The careful discipline and skill on which the Austrian Lauda lays his foundation is a polar opposite of the wild and reckless Hunt. Their passion for the sport is evident in the aggression and competition they display. The deafening roar of the racing cars creates an electrifying atmosphere and the thrill of Formula One comes alive in this film. The human element is never lost as the lives of Hunt and Lauda continually intercept. Off the racing track, we see these two young men grow and develop through the love, difficulties, loss and defeat which they experience.

THE BAD: Seeing this movie in 3D would have taken the excitement up to mind-blowing levels!

VERDICT: Whether you are a racing fan or not, this movie will totally thrill you. For most of us, the fame and fortune, the beautiful women, the stunning locations and the luxurious lifestyle of the racing world overshadows the actual talent. This story reveals the raw grit it takes to become a true champion. The rivalry which seems to form the foundation of the relationship between these two drivers actually develops into a very deep, respected friendship. I could actually feel the rush of adrenalin emanating from the tiny metal cockpit each time that flag went down.

*Thanks to Ster-Kinekor Northgate for making the review possible.