Great Film Shame about Chris Hemsworth

Rating: 8/10 (22 September 2013)

This film about the rivalry between James Hunt and Nikki Lauda follows the BBC documentary Hunt v Lauda about the 1976 Formula 1 World Cup. This had to be a fabulous basis for a film because of the real life twists and turns which actually occurred leading up to the final showdown in the last race of the season in Japan. I advise anyone to catch that documentary if they can as it is pretty thrilling and gives lots of vox pop from those who were there. Back to the film though, it's very good and the action sequences are pretty phenomenal, everything to keep any petrol head, 14 year old boy or even his giddy girlfriend on the edge of the seat. Daniel Bruhl is a great Nikki Lauda, all serious and autistic. Alexandra Maria Lara is uncanny as his graceful and dignified wife. The only weakness in the film is the casting of Chris Hemsworth. He manages to look the part but never really captures the essence of Hunt who was far more complex than given credit in the film. He also can't manage Hunts witticisms and if you YouTube James Hunt, you will find that the real James's delivery is much funnier and more droll. Advice to Hemsworth, stick to the beefcake roles. Go see the movie at the cinema as the race scenes are better there