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| Courtesy of Universal |
People
tend to forget that Howard is also responsible for some flat-out excellent
films. Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Frost/Nixon and the
sadly underrated The Paper (which features one of my favorite Michael Keaton
performances): that’s a track record that other directors would kill for. But
for some reason, Howard doesn’t seem to get the credit he deserves.
Hopefully
that will change with Rush, a fact-based drama that chronicles the heated
rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda
(Daniel Bruhl). The film marks a significant transformation in Howard’s
directing style, with a constantly shifting visual palette, kinetic race scenes
and two dynamic lead performances. It’s also really sexy, an adjective not
typically associated with films from the former Richie Cunningham.
Set
during Formula One’s golden age, the film delves into Hunt and Lauda’s vastly
different strategies and personal lives, and also explains why they’re
committed – or crazy – enough to dominate in a sport that kills two people every year. Working from a screenplay
by Peter Morgan, Howard gives equal screen time to both drivers, allowing
viewers to discover their wildly dissimilar personalities, their approach to
the art of racing and their philosophies about life in general.
It
must’ve been tempting for Howard and Morgan to go the traditional biopic route
by aligning the audience’s sympathies with the handsome, charismatic Hunt and
making them root against the aloof, methodical Lauda. Fortunately, the
filmmakers wisely avoid the easy formula and instead make both men fascinating
and difficult in their own unique ways. Giving characters depth and complexity
– what a concept!
Rush doesn’t even attempt to pretend that Hunt and Lauda are nice guys; I’m pretty
sure the word “asshole” is employed here more than any other movie you’ll see
in 2013. But history is rarely made by the meek, especially in a sport that can
turn a driver into a fireball the second he loses his focus.
Hemsworth
and Bruhl are simply phenomenal in the lead roles, bolstered by a supporting
cast packed with familiar faces (including a woefully underused Olivia Wilde as
Hunt’s wife). Still, it’s ultimately a two-man show that culminates in a
suspenseful final showdown. The best compliment I can pay the film is that I
was on the edge of my seat even though I ordinarily couldn’t care less about
racing.
Rush is rated
R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug
use.
Grade:
B+
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