REVIEW: RUSH

" A wise man learns more from his enemies, than a fool from his friends " Niki Lauda

I wouldn't call myself an avid Formula 1 Fan. My affiliation with the sport started as a bit of a "Pavlov's Dogs" association,  every Sunday while having lunch, my family would be plonked in front of the tv watching Schumacher in his "hey days". From this whenever I eat roast potatoes and chicken I listen out for the sound of the Ferraris or Mclarens... and my mom's sighs of contentment when Coulthard's face appears on screen.

That is why when I heard about the release of Rush, I knew mom and I would be crashing (no pun intended) "boys night"... And right from the opening scene I didn't regret it one bit! Feeling Jarryd's goosebumps and hair standing on end definitely set the tone for the movie. Described as a "re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda", this biographical film takes the audience on a fast paced and sometimes utterly debaucheress trip down memory lane. Having my father, a self-proclaimed F1 encyclopedia, rate it as one of the best films he's ever seen makes it just that much more credible. Mind you the last movie I watched with him in the cinema was Finding Nemo... And he managed to stay awake the whole way through!

 

Rush's success is that it doesn't try too hard to make a far-fetched story or fictional tale come alive. It simply lays bare the past and events with an honesty that can be felt. It tells the story of the rivalry between Hunt (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Lauda (played by Daniel Brul) that begins in their days of Formula 3 racing, success at this level normally results in moving up the leagues to Formula 1. However, the drivers decide to "buy" their place in Formula 1. Lauda takes a large bank loan and buys his way into the BRM Formula One team, meeting teammate Clay Regazzoni for the first time. Meanwhile, Hesketh Racing, the fledgling racing team Hunt drives for, enters Formula One as well. Lauda then joins Scuderia Ferrari with Regazzoni and wins his first championship in 1975. Hesketh closes shop after failing to secure a sponsor, but Hunt manages to land a driving position in McLaren after Emerson Fittipaldi leaves the team. During this time, Hunt marries supermodel Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde), while Lauda develops a relationship with socialite Marlene Knaus (Alexandra Maria Lara). (Thank you Wikipedia).

What makes the movie really good, however, is that it is completely believable. It feels like you're watching a flashback rather than a re-creation.This is perhaps aided by the use of original footage in certain parts. My parents said it was uncanny how much the actors looked like the people they were portraying.  Even the way Nikki Lauda's 1976 accident at the infamous Nürburgring in Germany is portrayed feels raw and emotional. The pain and suffering he must've endured in his days in hospital was depicted so avidly it had me churning in sympathy pain and cringing gingerly in my seat. Definitely not for viewing by someone with a weak stomach!

This film has definitely cemented Ron Howard's place on my list of favourite directors. I wouldn't recommend the film for someone who has no interest in motor-racing though, the subtle nuances and jokes might be lost on you. And that goes for the guy who took his date to this movie and after, tried to impress her with his knowledge of MotoGP accidents too, Simoncelli is turning in his grave dude!

For the fans here's an interview TopGear did with Nikki Lauda:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/top-gear-interviews-niki-lauda-ferrari-formula-one-2013-09-04#.UlKQUhdgj0g.facebook

Bucket List #67 Ride a Lambo around Nürburgring