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Monday, May 20, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD RUSH
EDITOR'S PICK
'Rush'
- intense, thrilling
Rating: ***1/2
`To be a champion, it's more than just being quick. It is understanding and
delivering the whole picture`. This is the key message conveyed in director
Roh Howard's "Rush", which is based on a true story.
At the very beginning, a voiceover reveals - `Of the 25 racers that
participate in the Formula One races every year, two die`. What a morbid
way to start!
Set in the backdrop of Formula One racing, the film documents the personality
conflict and rivalry of two famous racers Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James
Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).
Both with diametrically opposite characteristics; James Hunt is the charismatic
and reckless English playboy, whereas Niki Lauda is the studious introvert with
German Austrian upbringing, who takes calculated risks. The only thing common
between the two is their passion for motor racing. The film exposes their
intense competitiveness and their mutual admiration for each other.
Spanning over seven years, from 1970 to 1977, the film captures their career and
personal life, which includes; numerous F1 races across the globe, their
marriages and a crash that has leaves Niki with a burnt face.
The screenplay by Morgan (though it starts and ends with Niki's point of view)
during its course, oscillates between the squeaky exaggerated dual narrations of
both racers. Nevertheless, the dialogues between the two racers are crisp, curt
and razor sharp sparkling with wit.
It is a treat to watch Lauda dismiss off Hunt saying: "I don't mind being
called a rat. And rats are intelligent with great survival instincts."
On another instance, their repartee gets a chuckle when Hunt dismisses Lauda
with, "You kill the sport with your calculated risk". To which Lauda
replies, "You English, participate with the attitude, 'prepared to die', is
actually being a loser".
As for the performances, Hemsworth with his blonde hair and dashing swagger
portrays James Hunt as the flamboyant racer to the hilt. His retching before
every race is needlessly dramatised. He gains the audience's sympathy in the
scene where, after the press conference, filled with remorse and guilt; he
bashes a journalist, who puts forth an absurd question to Lauda.
He clinches this scene with his brilliant performance, immediately raising him
several notches in the eyes of the audience.
On the other hand, Bruhl as the rough, hard-headed Lauda is initially repulsive,
but over time with his complex and moving performance, he is likable. By the
end, you begin to understand him.
Both the ladies have nothing much to do in the film. Olivia Wilde as Suzy
Miller, the model wife of Hunt and Alexandra Maria Lara as Marlene Lauda, are
wasted as the director has not explored the personal lives of the racers in
detail.
The production quality of the film is sleek. The smooth edits and sound play an
integral part in the film, especially the sound design of the screeching wheels
adds to the adrenaline rush. The score by Hans Zimmer is perfectly suited with
director Howard's style.
Visually, the racing sequences are, for the most part, astonishing. Howard has
brilliantly and seamlessly managed to integrate cinematographer Anthony Dod
Mantle's frames with the highly saturated racing scenes of the famous Formula
One courses.
Overall, "Rush" is an engaging biopic with intense performances that
will thrill you even if you are not an F1 buff.
