Rating of
3.5/4
A Movie That Lives Up to Its Title
Chris Kavan - wrote on 09/29/13
It takes a certain kind of man to drive what amounts to a mobile bomb - one that guarantees a 20% of death in every race. That was the odds facing every Formula One driver in the 1970s - and two such drivers, the hot-headed, loose cannon playboy James Hunt and the efficient, by-the-books serious Austrian Niki Lauda developed one of the greatest rivalries in this or any sport.
Both men couldn't be more different in personalities - but both came from a much similar place. Hunt's family is into business: investing, accounting and the like, but he isn't interested in that life - he prefers the rush of speed (and women) that Formula One racing brings. Likewise, Lauda's family is wealthy thanks to banking and even though his father disapproves, he takes out his own loan in order to follow his dreams of professional racing. Whereas Hunt has the flowing hair and good looks that attracts women and makes him popular and he also has no qualms about taking risks during racing but his reckless ways drive off potential sponsors. Lauda, nicknamed "rat" by Hunt - is the opposite, he may not have looks, but he is intelligent and is a wizard at bringing out the most potential in his cars.
I was afraid that director Ron Howard would try to sugar-coat things - he's not known for making gritty pictures after all - but I'm glad to say he brings his A game here and isn't shy about embracing the darker side of racing and these men. From Hunt bedding every possible woman he sees (starting with a nurse played by the always-welcome Natalie Dormer) leading to his failed relationship with model Suzy Miller (a nice but underused Olivia Wilde), Hunt's bravado, and his depression, is defty played by Chris Hemsworth (best known for playing god of thunder, Thor in the Avengers films). Hemsworth is all swagger in front of an audience, but behind the wheel he is pure concentration - going over the race in his mind, puking before every major event - he is a flawed man, but one who takes control when needed.
Daniel Brühl (probably best known to Americans as Fredrick Zoller from Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds) is likewise excellent as the straight arrow to Hemsworth's wild card. Lauda is all business - he wants to make money and he knows he is an excellent driver and he never misses a moment to remind everyone - be it to Hemsworth or fellow team member
Clay Regazzoni (Pierfrancesco Favino). It doesn't make him popular but somehow he finds time to impress and wed Marlene (a class act from Alexandra Maria Lara).
This culminates in a battle of wits and skill during the 1976 Formula One season. We are told early in the film that four out of every 25 drivers per season will die in accidents. During the film we see two such accidents - and Howard is not about to gloss over the gory details. But it is during a rain-drenched race on the infamous German Nürburgring that things get really dramatic. Lauda calls a team meeting to cancel the race due to the driving conditions but is voted down by Hunt - who blames the outcome on Lauda's lack of charisma. During that race, Lauda suffers horrific burns following a wreck. But here is where Brühl really shines as we watch this burned, broken man make a miraculous recovery - and 42 days later he's back in the drivers seat ready to defend his racing crown against Hunt - who has taken advantage of Lauda's injuries to surge ahead in points. It all leads to a dramatic showdown in another rain-soaked even in Japan.
The film also does a great job of portraying the times as well as the men. From the soundtrack to the excellent editing - this is as thrilling as a biography as you are ever going to find. For a fall movie offering, it exceeded by expectations. As an aside, if you like Rush I highly recommend checking out the documentary Senna (based on the life of Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna) - although it takes place in the 80s rather than the 70s, it is an excellent bookend to this film.
