The Best Film of 2013

Rating: 10/10 (9 February 2020)

"Rush" stars Chris Hemsworth as colourful, charismatic playboy party-animal James Hunt who was also one of the all-time great in the Formula 1 circuit. Contrary to his lifestyle Daniel Bruhl stars as Hunt's rival, Austrian born racer Niki Lauda who is very aloof, arrogant and only cares about winning and nothing more. In fact he believes that happiness is a sign of weakness to his regiment. Though they've butted heads on the other minor Formula circuits, their real conflicts begin in 1976 during the granddaddy of them all, the ever-dangerous Formula 1 race tracks where many championships were won while many lives have been lost. Lauda utilizing his carefully selected cars and strategic acumen manages to win his way at Ferrari. His hopes of joy and confidence comes crashing down when he's ousted by his arch rival James Hunt who shows that his style is equally significant to his substance. With one of the most dangerous spots on the Formula 1 course, Hunt and Lauda will convert to extreme lengths to prove who's the best while not caring of the physical or psychological implications that go into the course.
Filled with fast-paced action, high octane thrills, and a compelling story of one of the most bitter rivalries in Formula 1 racing, "Rush", goes beyond the excitement of the screeching of the tires and competitors striving to the very best, but is also a character driven drama that looks at how the closest of friends can be the bitterest of enemies when competition is in the air and that the motto of "win big or die trying" couldn't have been more literally said. If you lack knowledge of Formula 1 racing, no worries at all, the emotions of the characters and the character development between Hunt and Lauda will surely make you choose a side as to who wish will win in this most dangerous sport in the world and Hemsworth and Bruhl do an excellent job at conveying the conflicting rivalry between these two highly competitive racers.
Under the direction of Ron Howard, he ensures his audience that will likely see the two leading rivals show both admiration for the athleticism and at the same time exhibit an obvious disdain for their ways of life. We both applaud and at the same time don't envy their career professions. Their lease of life consists of enjoying life like everyday could end unexpectedly and the other to achieve their goal to represent why they compete in this level to begin with.
Under the wonderful script by Peter Morgan, we can get further invesed into the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda better and that the polar opposites between the two never looked better. We can easily be more invested into Hunt's character and Hemsworth as his partying ways matches his daredevil high adrenaline energy he brings to these race courses. His reckless style of driving is the perfect married couple to his wild lifestyle of partying, sex, drugs and everything in between. Underneath him we see a flawed man who fears life which contributes to his boisterous lifestyle. Olivia Wilde is wonderful in the role as his first wife Suzy Miller who uses Hunt as a stepping stone to eventually become engaged to Hollywood legend Richard Burton.
Bruhl is perfectly cast as the no-nonsense racer Niki Lauda who's social interactions are virtually non-existent and carries this conflicted burden over his shoulders the whole time through. Not only does he look and act like the determined driver, he also plays off the obsessive compulsiveness his character goes through like choosing the right car that will win him championships even down to the weight and aerodynamics of the cars while he at the same time possesses a misanthropic way in life he sees the human and doesn't care what they think of him. The scene where he opens up to his first wife Marlene (Alexandra Maria Lara) we get to know that he's not a complete anti-socialite. The joyride in Italy is quite heart-pulsating. Lauda believes that happiness is his liability as he explains to Marlene that there is no happiness that comes in the career choice he made.
The racing scene provide some the most in-your-face action you'll ever witness. It's like we're literally in the driver's seats that feels like a roller coaster ride as the wheels race through the tracks going way over the speed limit. The climax in the movie takes place at the Nurbrugring circuit in Germany which the racers from the past refer to as "The Green Hell" in which wet conditions on this track can deadly and rivalries within players can be a matter of winning big or dying trying. This track will determine who will compete in the World Championship in Japan. We ask ourselves is it worth it winning the grandest prize knowing that weather conditions are bad and that racers can get hurt or even killed just for the top prize? You bet it does! You think after all this time getting here you're going to to throw it away? I don't think so! Howard wisely observes the psyche between Hunt and Lauda as to see what's going through their minds as each are contemplating the consequences they will face in this challenge.
This movie is truly and exciting and dramatic film that was sadly snubbed at the Oscars even though other awards shows gave praise to this movie. The competitive nature between James Hunt and Niki Lauda is brought to life which is more like a stepping stone to their winning ways as the more disdain they have for each the more successful they've become in Formula racing. With a fine blend of exciting races we have a movie that's high in drama, humour, romance and the poetic rivalry between polar opposites is the meal ticket to a gem of a film.