Rush (2013)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Country: USA

Movie Review: Ron Howard offers us another film of great intensity and humanity. The film, set in the 70’s, recreates the rivalry between F1 drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Written by Peter Morgan, who already had worked with Howard on “Frost/Nixon”, the film gives a precise notion of the protagonists’ characters. While Hunt was an impulsive man, spirited, and minded to life’s pleasures, Lauda was very serious, methodical, and strongly committed to what he loved most. Despite these huge differences, they shared the same talent to drive fast and ambition to win. In parallel with the sport's covering, we can see the posture adopted by these two men outside the racing tracks. Love relationships were faced in completely opposite ways: Hunt much more undisciplined and in a marriage that never convinced; Lauda always very truthful to himself and in a steady relationship with his supportive wife, Marlene. The flowing and fast pace, along with the brilliance of storytelling, make the almost two hours seem shorter, never allowing the story to be softened. The F1 security issues were very well approached, a matter that would have severe repercussions in Lauda’s career, after a terrible accident in the German Grand Prix, that almost took his life. Summarizing: a story of fierce rivalry that doesn’t hide admiration and recognition, intense races, amazing performances, and flawless direction, make “Rush” a film not to be missed.