Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl and Olivia Wilde
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which are worth as much as Chris Hemsworth. Since his rise to during the 1990’s, Hemsworth has become a strong icon. Whether it’s furious road warriors, race car drivers or Demi-gods in power, Hemsworth has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Hemsworth’s strength as an actor has often been his powerful presence. He’s one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into every role. As an actor, Hemsworth has always been associated with his role as Thor in the MCU. However, the actor has commonly branched out of the MCU taking a step out of his comfort zone to play a wide range of characters. An actor with strong commitment towards his craft, Hemsworth has become an icon in the world of entertainment. Through his capabilities to portray larger than life characters that are compelling, Hemsworth has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a long-lasting career, Hemsworth has appeared in several powerful movies which are definitely worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Hemsworth and admire all the movies he has made in his career. That being said, “Rush” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2013, Chris Hemsworth’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. With the most technically impressive movie of his career, Hemsworth captured a real-life rivalry between two race car drivers in Formula One History. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and bold performances, it’s one of the best race car movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a superb performance from Chris Hemsworth, who demonstrates the larger than life personality of a celebrated race driver. Ultimately, what makes “Rush” an iconic classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about race car drivers, it tackles bold themes which would definitely resonate with everyone. A spellbinding classic about sports car drivers, there are several strong reasons why “Rush” is a movie which is definitely without any doubts worth watching.
Based on true events, “Rush” tells the story of the real-life rivalries between two drivers that competed in Formula One. Chris Hemsworth portrays James Hunt, an arrogant race driver that has always had a strong drive to succeed. Hunt has always had an aptitude for excelling in race car driving. However, Hunt’s life forever changes when he is faced with a tense rivalry against a threatening driver. Niki Laura (Daniel Bruhl) is a tense driver with a strong desire to succeed in art of racing. As the two drivers are up against each other in every single game, it’s not long before they develop an intense rivalry. Lauda’s strong disciplinary approach to racing clashes with Hunt’s more laidback attitude to the profession. The lives of the two racers are forever destroyed by a tragic accident which puts their careers in grave danger. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Hunt starts to wonder whether it’s possible to be a famous race car driver.
Ron Howard is a newcomer towards stories of race car drivers. Before he directed “Rush”, the filmmaker had never made a movie about race car drivers in his career. Howard was known for making Oscar-winning biographies about lives of mathematicians with beautiful minds. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the frightening rivalries between race drivers but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Howard captures the rivalry between two strong drivers which experience catastrophe. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as race car competitions that Hunt seeks to organize. Howard expertly uses point of view shots to capture painful rivalries between a pair of race car drivers which face tragedies. For instance, the point of view shots enhance the race car accident scene. During this unforgettable scene, Niki Laura becomes a victim of a tragic car accident which causes catastrophe. One admires point of view shots capturing the hardships that race car drivers go through. Point of view shots are not easy to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, point of view shots elevate iconic horror films. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Howard demonstrates the frightening hardships that commemorated race car drivers are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Rush” which merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Howard has often had aptitude for staging thrilling racing scenes in movies, and his strengths as a filmmaker are clearly evident in “Rush”. Howard successfully uses practical effects to stage racing scenes which are entertaining. For instance, practical effects elevate the race car driving sequence. During this memorable scene, Niki and James engage in a tense race car competition which causes immense tension. One admires strong practical effects capturing the tensions which race drivers are experiencing. Practical effects are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” claimed clearly, practically effects elevate action films about dystopian worlds. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Hans Zimmer’s music is crucial to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful. burden which race car drivers bear. Through strong production-design, Howard celebrates commemorated race car drivers that have a strong determination to cross the finish line.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Rush” is a film about race car driving that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture race car drivers that face tensions. Howard’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture tension experienced by racing car drivers by voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, James and Niki both express their views on race car driving using voice over narration. For instance, narration elevates the opening scene. During this tense scene, Niki Lauda introduces audiences to the world of race car driving causing tensions by voice over narration. Through this ingenious voice-over narration, Howard crafts a strong race car driver that audiences can relate to. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, voice-over narration elevates classic movies about prison. David Fincher’s “Fight Club” claimed that narration elevates psychological thrillers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Howard honours legendary race car drivers which are beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Chris Hemsworth delivers one of his finest performances as James Hunt. Hemsworth gained appreciation for playing legendary superhero red in comic-book movies. With “Rush”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of a celebrated race car driver which had changed history but Hemsworth succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Hemsworth has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through his expressions, and “Rush” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, determination and competitive streak of a legendary race car driver that forever changed history. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest actors working in the modern film industry today.
Daniel Bruhl is brilliant as a dedicated race car driver with strong desire to succeed in a career he grows to embrace. While Hemsworth gets a showier role, Bruhl is also excellent as a driver whose life spirals out of control. As Niki Lauda, Bruh did an amazing job capturing the larger than life personality of a race car driver by his monologues. Whether he’s arguing with James Hunt over his abilities as a driver or enduring a tragic accident that’s frightening, Bruhl deftly uses emotional monologues to create a racing car driver that’s compelling. It’s a strong role that gave the actor opportunities to showcase his talent for playing courageous characters. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most underrated actors working in the modern film industry today.
Finally, “Rush” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the lives of race car drivers with an adrenaline rush. Unlike most biopics about racing drives, it’s one of those rare movies tackling universal themes which everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes including identity, career and passion which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with race car drivers to appreciate the film. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Rush” is one of those rare commemorated movies about race car driving that everyone would adore.
Fans of Chris Hemsworth would appreciate “Rush” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding classic about a legendary race car driver, it honours an actor that had become an icon audiences treasure.
Nearly 40 years following a groundbreaking race in which two legendary drivers which were constantly in a rush to cross the finish line formed a rivalry which was challenging with consequences which proved to be frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following through abilities to portray characters that are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 