RUSH - archive from 9th October 2013

Saw 'RUSH' last night at one of my favourite theatres - the Cremorne Orpheum. 

This has divided me, and I was psyched to see it given the subject matter, my ardent following of F1 particularly in the late 70's, 80's and 90's, the Director and all positive reviews I've seen about this. 

On the plus side the 70's are faithfully recreated on screen, Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Bruhl as Lauda are master strokes of casting (especially the latter), the track scenes & crash sequences are well crafted and faithful renditions of what took place and the final minutes pay a fitting tribute to both men. On the lesser side this film is shallow and concentrates almost exclusively on the on track & off track rivalry between Hunt & Lauda. 

I would have liked to see more interplay with other drivers (only Clay Regazzoni gets any real screen time); the other Teams, Managers and Owners; the technical developments of the era; and a little more of what made these men. Hunt was decidedly English and Lauda defiantly Austrian, both totally determined in their pursuit of the championship almost at any cost, but diametrically opposed with Hunt's womanising, drinking, smoking, drug taking and mood swings ultimately bringing him undone, and all well depicted on screen. Lauda is more considered, thoughtful, inward, composed, obsessive and lacking any personality at all. This is what the film bases itself on amidst the 1976 season which Hunt won (but only just and probably because of Lauda's horrific accident), but from which history now shows Lauda as the true victor and legend of F1. Watch it on the big screen and you decide!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-