It's undeniable that the idea of sitting on top of a 450 horse-power engine, behind the steering wheel of an F1 car tearing around at 170mph is an incredibly thrilling prospect. And as tempting as that idea is, I came away from Rush with both the desire to put my foot down on the accelerator and yet also thankful that I don't actually own a car!
Directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan, Rush is based on the true story of Formula One World Champions Niki Lauda and James Hunt. Starring Daniel Brühl as the methodical, calculating and obnoxious Lauda and Chris Hemsworth as the charming playboy – and no less obnoxious – Hunt, the film tells the story of these two very disparate men and their intense rivalry. With stunning visuals and an engaging narrative about the fierce competition and personal drama between these two racers, Rush is a gripping cinematic tour de force from beginning to end.
The film follows the tale of the two acclaimed racing drivers, from Hunt and Lauda's first encounter at a Formula Three race in 1970 to the climactic events of the 1976 Formula One season, in which both drivers are willing to risk everything to best each other and claim the title of World Champion. Although the film is set against the stylish backdrop of the 70s Formula One racing world, Rush is not just about the racing; it’s about Hunt and Lauda’s rivalry, a story driven by their very different styles both on and off the tracks, and their personal approaches to life.
Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth bring this true story of conflict and competition to life on-screen, consistently carrying off these roles and their juxtaposed personalities superbly, truly embodying their characters. At times it becomes difficult to distinguish the actors from the men they’re portraying. There’s a wonderful chemistry between the two, especially as their confrontational demeanor grows into a mutual respect. The film at first appears to focus on Hemsworth’s James Hunt, following his rise to F1 stardom, his promiscuous lifestyle, and his impulsive attitude towards both racing and his life. He has one goal in mind; to beat Niki Lauda, and take his place as F1 World Champion. As the narrative progresses, it gradually transitions to Brühl’s Niki Lauda, the polar opposite of Hunt, in his more measured and methodical approach to all walks of life, calculating and plotting his course around the track, maximising the efficiency of his car, and considering the risks and weighing them against his personal life and what he stands to lose.
The crux of the film is during the fateful incident at the Nürburgring on the 1st of August, 1976, during which Lauda suffers a near-fatal accident, having to be airlifted to hospital after his car careens into an embankment and bursts into flames. The narrative takes on a more sombre note from this point, as Lauda spends six weeks being treated for his injuries and watching as Hunt begins to dominate the rest of the season. It’s a heartbreaking sequence, phenomenally portrayed by Brühl and Alexandra Maria Lara as his wife, Marlene Lauda; her grief and concern for her husband is palpable, helplessly standing by as he struggles through his recovery, forcing himself to get back behind the wheel against his doctor’s orders, spurred on by his rivalry with Hunt. Despite Lauda being a fundamentally unlikable character for most of the film, these are some of the most emotionally impacting scenes in Rush, as one truly feels a sense of empathy for him.
It’s hard to have a similar sense of empathy during Hunt’s crisis, though, as he suffers a series of setbacks over the course of a number of races and reacts like a petulant teenager most of the time, but is nonetheless consummately portrayed by Chris Hemsworth. It’s not until he discovers that his wife, Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde), is having an affair with Richard Burton that he regains his competitive spirit, and this, along with his growing respect for Lauda getting back into racing so soon after his accident (and remorse for being somewhat responsible), is where Hunt really shows some character depth. Although there isn’t a great deal of room for character development with James Hunt, Hemsworth delivers a great performance as the arrogant and impulsive Hunt, and there are some particularly touching scenes towards the film’s conclusion between Hunt and Lauda.
The greatest triumph of Rush has to be the story. Based on true events, Peter Morgan has taken two F1 legends, conveying public facts whilst also creating vivid and believable interpretations of their lives 'behind closed doors'. This sets Rush apart from other sports dramas, as it's not really about the racing; it's a multi-faceted human drama, a story of personal rivalry and tragedy, juxtaposed with the breakneck world of Formula One. This depth of narrative, combined with the thrilling racing sequences (which are much more exciting than watching real F1!) and stylish 70s aesthetic, makes for a truly engaging film.
Rush is as one would expect from its title; an adrenaline-pumping, pedal-to-the-metal action film, but set against this backdrop of golden age Formula One racing and underpinning this fast-paced thrill ride is a story of drama, intense rivalry, and fierce determination. It is nothing short of phenomenal.
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