Rush

The competitive drive of two polar opposite enemies in a relentlessly dangerous sport is always entertaining, but add to that the high-octane adrenaline of Formula One racing in the safety-devoid 1970's, and you've got something pretty cool. The sport compared with Nascar is like the global soccer fan-base compared with American football. F1 racing is huge. Or was huge. I'm not sure, in fact, I didn't really know the full scope of the sport's appeal, but these guys are the International Jeff Gordons and Dale Earnhardts of the 70's. If that makes any sense.

Austrian Niki Lauda (Played by Daniel Bruhl) and Brit James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) jockey for speed supremacy through the 1975-76 international racing season, during a time when the sport was undergoing a sort of renaissance and entering a technological revolution that pushed the limits of man and machine. As the season progresses, we find these two divergent personalities atop the leader boards, each bringing a flair for the dramatic, but in two wildly different ways. We find that their relationship as a rivalry is endearing and has more depth it probably should, and impacted the sport more than we can possibly know.

Ron Howard returns to directing in his first solid outing since 2009's Frost/Nixon. He's the king of obscure biopic, and Lauda/Hunt is no exception. I had never heard of either of these guys, but Howard portrays them on the screen as if they were Thor and Schwarzenegger (OK, Thor's not technically British, but Lauda and Hunt are larger than life in Rush). You begin to develop a real sense of concern for them every time they get on the track and the suspense of knowing how the final act will turn out is absurd considering the obscurity of both of these racing legends. As the film comes to an end, there is an authentic feel of legitimacy to the film that only Ron Howard could create.

Hemsworth is perfectly cast as the playboy lothario James Hunt. He's from a successful family and has turned his privileged back on law and medicine for an opportunity to go fast and bed women. It looks like quite the party, but below the surface there is more than just an opportunist. There is a competitor. He proves himself on the track, and is true to his nature through all of his ups and downs, and Hemsworth conveys his passion through his ridiculous blue eyes and shaggy locks. He does a really nice acting job, but it's not much of a stretch if we're being honest. I like Hemsworth and I hope he gets some good, dramatic roles down the road, but he's still in his breakout/action star stage of his career. Playing James Hunt might be the first peek through that door. It's almost like the Brad Pitt curse though. He's too good looking to be taken seriously, so we might just have to wait until he's in his late 40's before we get a ripe, award-worthy role. Let's hope not.

Bruhl is fantastic as the subdued and reserved, depressed and meticulous Lauda who has a natural instinct for the sport and mechanics of automobiles, but just can't quite let go of the rigid and serious demeanor that ostracizes him from the other drivers. Of course, it's that same demeanor that garners him the respect of his peers as well, but Bruhl plays it very well from the moment he enters the sport, until he reflects back on his life. It's a modest change of heart through the process, but it's noticeable. His respect for the sport carries the seriousness that is diminished by Hemsworth's loose, playful attitude. It's Bruhl that keeps the film on track and maintains the serious tone, even though he's somewhat of a supporting member.

All in all, it's a two man show that is about so much more than just racing. It's passion, tension, regret, and a magical era captured in a time capsule and released to race cars, the visionary eye of Ron Howard, and the backdrop of the best score of the year so far (Oscar winner Hans Zimmer - Lion King). For the record, Zimmer also scored Gladiator, the recent Batman films, and Inception, which received a handful of nominations, but should have won awards.

Rush is a well done film. A bit of a head-scratcher if you think about it; a competitive duo racing cars in 1976, and there isn't a miracle moment, or any narrative describing the impact on the sport at the end. But, Ron Howard does that well. The scenes in the rain evoke a palpable tension and are remarkably executed. It's a great film with two great, perfectly cast lead performers. Ron Howard is back, ladies and gentlemen. 8/10.