“Rush” is a thrilling, visually stunning character study

For Americans, Formula One racing isn’t really at the forefront of our sports history. That would probably explain the chilly reception of the film in the United States. Americans are probably even more ignorant of the rivalry between Nikki Lauda and James Hunt. Before watching the film I had absolutely no idea who they were, but after I became almost obsessed with them. Not because of their rivalry, but because of who they were.

Director Ron Howard made the incredibly important decision to begin his European formula one racing film Rush with the first of its many racing scenes. The reason I say it was an important decision is because the story extends much further than racing.  I’d even go as far as to say that it isn’t even about racing.

Daniel Brühl has been receiving rave reviews for his performance in “Rush”.

The film begins with the race the changes the course of the movie. Lauda’s voice over lets us know that the race we are seeing is one that he drove with anger and contempt. He says he drove like an asshole.

The rest of the film watches as the lives of the protagonists mirror and cross each other. We retrace how both Lauda and Hunt made their way into the sport. Lauda, in spite of his father’s wishes, takes out a bank loan to buy his way onto a formula one team. Hunt’s team, Hesketh Racing, moves into the formula one circuit as well. And then the real movie begins.

Both men get married through the course of the movie, Hunt to supermodel Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde) and Lauda to socialite Marlene Knaus (Alexandra Maria Lara). These women are integral to the main theme of the film, which is motivation. Both women motivate the men in different ways. Ways that I can’t say without a hefty spoiler, but the women behind the men are just important as the men behind the wheel.

Daniel Brühl is absolutely brilliant as Niki Lauda. And without overstepping, I’ll cautiously say that it is my favorite “supporting” (at least in the awards circuit) performance of the year. It is a carefully crafted performance. Everything the actor says, like Niki Lauda, is with intention, as is every one of Howard’s expertly crafted scenes.

However, the most telling scene comes during the final race between Lauda and Hunt during the Japanese Grand Prix. While both drivers make their attempts at clinching the world championship, images are intercut with the racing. When the camera is focused on Lauda images of his wife Marlene are shown, when the camera focuses on Hunt images of Lauda are shown. These are their motivations. Love and hate.

It is a story of how dangerous hate can run, but also how quickly that hate can turn into mutual admiration. Lauda explains it perfectly in the last scene of the film. Having an enemy in life can be a curse and a blessing.

In the end, these men changed each other. They both had extremely different takes on life that in the end seemed wrong. They were foils to each other. Whether you watch the film as a sports drama or a character study, I am sure that you will be thoroughly entertained.