A race to the finish line

Rating: 9/10 (18 August 2018)

Ron Howard is an amazing director. While he has had his ups (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon) and downs (The Dilemma, Inferno), he generally has made consistent in being a top notch director. Even his most recent film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, while not the best Star Wars movie, was fun and exciting. Here he is with stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Daniel Bruhl (Captain America: Civil War) in a true story about legendary Formula 1 racers James Hunt (Hemsworth), who is a playboy, and Niki Lauda (Bruhl), who is methodical and brilliant.
Both actors are at the top of their game here. Hemsworth proves that he is more than just a man with a hammer, thunderbolts and lightning (although I do love Thor); he is charming, captivating and charismatic. In this movie, the ladies love him and he loves the ladies. He gives life to what could of been a one-note character. But it is Bruhl who steals the show in his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Niki Lauda. In my opinion, Bruhl should've also been nominated for the Oscar in the same category. He gives the performance of his career here, way better than his performance in Captain America: Civil War. You care about his character; as a matter of fact, I found myself cheering for both drivers. That's the mark of a good movie for me about rivals; when you find yourself fascinated by both sides of the spectrum, you know something was done right. And something was definitely done right here.
All in all, an amazing piece of work that is capped off by stunning direction and brilliant performances by the two leads. Why this wasn't even considered for Best Picture at the Oscars, I will never know.