Rush (2013)

When The Big Lessons Appeared in Competition, There were Only an Impress, a Friendship and Support 

Stars   :  Daniel Bruhl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde
Score  :  8.0 / 10

 

RUSH is my third favorite movie in January 2014. There will be a lot of films included in my favorite list in early 2014. The next three films that will follow soon in my favorite list are Back to the Future III, Hannibal and Captain Phillip. Last year, my friend who has a hobby on food photography advised me to watch RUSH. But because of the airing time of RUSH in theaters is almost over, I do not have time to watch it. I watched RUSH in 2014, it is a bit late, but no problem than not watching it ^.^ And after watching it, I agree when he told me that I should not miss RUSH. A good story and contains good moral message.

In my opinion, RUSH is a different movie sport biography than ever, especially from the thrill of competition and strength of character in the story. It is not an easy work to bring the atmosphere of a real racing car into the movie, but RUSH did it. A cool racing action. Although at the beginning, the story running slow and little bored, the story become more exciting until the end of time. The main characters are very obviously displayed, especially for Niki Lauda. Here is a summary story of RUSH. 

Niki Lauda

James Hunt

James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) are Formula I racer in the 1970's to 1980's. Here is a short information about Formula I from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_racing) :

"Formula racing is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single-seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulae are Formula One, Two and Three. Common usage of "formula racing" encompasses other single-seater series, including the GP2 Series, which replaced Formula 3000 (which had itself been the effective replacement for Formula Two).

Categories such as Formula Three and GP2 are described as feeder formulae, which refers to their position below Formula One on the career ladder of single-seater motor racing. There are two primary forms of racing formula : the open formula that allows a choice of chassis and/or engines; and the control or "spec" formula that relies on a single supplier for chassis and engines. Formula Three is an example of an open formula, while Formula BMW is a control formula. There are also some exceptions on these two forms like Formula Ford where there is an open chassis formula but a restricted single brand engine formula."  

Hunt and Lauda in a Formula Competition

Hunt and Lauda are talented racer who competes strictly in almost every seson competition. They take turns winning racing competition. They have compete since they were in Formula III. Their rivalry was not only happened on the track, they often seem argued when the outside of track. They have different background and personality. 

Lauda comes from a rich family in Austria. The big name of Lauda family has already known to public in economics and politics. But, Lauda loves racing. he decided not to follow the step of his family and became a racer. When he asked his father a race car and refused, Lauda decided to achieve his goal alone. He borrowed money from bank and went to BRM (British Racing Motors), a formula racing constructor who need funds. Lauda offered his fund with two conditions, a race car and BRM main racer position. Lauda also understand car technical problems well. He asked to BRM team to modify back the car because he considered that the car was too heavy, so it could not generate maximal power. Because of Lauda's idea, BRM cars go faster than before. Lauda finally joined into BRM Formula I team as main racer.

Hunt comes from United Kingdom. Hunt is a talented rider who gets public attention, especially from women, because he is very cool and handsome. He has a lot of complicated relation and love to have fun with the ladies. He also temperamental and gets a bad boy image. Unlike Lauda who knows cars well, Hunt only knows how to drive fast on track. Although he always looks brave when competing, Hunt actually worried about his safety risks, so he often felt nauseated and vomited before the game starts. Hunt get first car from his brother. The brother borrowed from bank and gave Hunt a white Hesketh race car. The brother hoped Hunt would be a winner in Formula I and attract more sponsors for next competition.

Lauda and Ferrari Team

Hunt's smoky car and crashed barrier track

Lauda is genius, his ideas in BRM has attracted the attention of Ferrari team. Ferrari offered Lauda a contract as main rider in Ferrari team. Hunt and Lauda met back in Formula I, United States, October 5, 1975. They compete very tight, but Hesketh was damaged and had to stop when game was still in progress. Lauda finally beat Hunt. That loss made Hesketh did not get sponsors. The brother went bankrupt and sold Hesketh assets including Hunt's car.

At that time, Hunt did not have a car to race. Hunt became depressed and grumpy. His relationship with his wife, Suzi, become did not good anymore. Hunt asked Suzi to left him alone. Until one day when Hunt heard those McLarren team need a main rider after fired Emerson, Hunt submitted an application to McLarren. He convinced McLarren that he was a toughest rival for Lauda. He could beat Lauda. McLarren finally accepted Hunt.
  

Lauda accident

Lauda and his wife after accident

Hunt and Lauda returned to compete with their own car and their own team. Hunt with McLarren and Lauda still with Ferrari. They were observed each other. Because they do not want to lose, they followed the decisions already taken by their rival. One example is when Hunt followed Lauda's decision to use wet tires. They also teased the weakness of each. They took turns at the top of podium as the winner. They do not like each other, until Lauda got a fatal accident at the Nurburgring circuit, Germany, August 1, 1976. 

First memorable quote in RUSH

Second quote in RUSH

Rush tells more than just a sport or race or rivalry. We will see how a racer risking their lives. Is that just for a champion? Of course not, but  more than that, a pride. Check it out when Lauda was very angry when Hunt said that he was fear to lose. Yes, sometimes a pride was very expensive, more expensive than life. Whatever the condition of Lauda after the accident, caused of pride, he was still forced to join the competition. But, as usually, the loved ones have made a pride into number two. Love is greater than a pride. Love makes someone sacrifice anything, including a pride. The family conflict also sweeten this movie. For a moment we will be forgotten if we watch car racing movies.

Rush also reminds us that a rival can make us fall or the opposite. Such as Lauda when met Hunt. Lauda was getting more excited to recover after seeing Hunt victory. At least I will always remember a nice quote which Lauda said to Hunt, "A wise man gets more from his enemies than a fool from his friends".

This is my first time watched Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl played as central role in the story. Actually, Hemsworth already known through his famous film, THOR, but I am not a fans of super hero movie, so I have never watched THOR. If I am not wrong, Hunt is the main role in RUSH, but Hunt less dominant than Lauda, in terms of story conflict and the player. I prefer Bruhl than Hemsworth in this movie, although Hemsworth style is very cool in RUSH. But all of that covered with a stunning acting by Bruhl. I loved Bruhl accent, curious but funny. 

Niki Lauda in real life
( Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niki_Lauda )

James Hunt in real life
( Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hunt )