Director: Ron Howard
Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Hunt)
Daniel Bruel (lauda)
Olivia Wilde (Suzy Miller)
and a supporting cast of credible character actors.
Spoilers...? Probably.
this movie was made for those who are already F1 racing fans and might have some memory of the times. Ron Howard the director has managed to recreate the atmosphere of the times. He has populated his movie with period correct cars. And cars which would be interesting to car nuts of that day. Example; Hunt drives around on the street in a Mini Cooper S. Likely, the Mini in the movie is not exactly period correct, but does really get into the spirit of the movie, --and what it was about cars in Europe,-- that was cool to many fans.
The racing action can be brutal at times.. For instance a racing death at Watkins glen. Briefly a pic of an F-1 car that had crashed and run underneath the guardrail. The driver....decapitated. Clearly, he lost his head. One of the risks, the movie reminds us.
Niki Lauda's fiery crash at The Nuremburg ring 1976. The crash where he nearly died of his burns, and acquired the facial scars that he continues to wear (somewhat proudly) to this day.
Hunt, the party hearty playboy. He's a chick magnet. Beautiful and hot-to-trot women flock around him and apparently are quick to hop into the sack. One scene at a hospital emergency room where he shows up to get treated for some minor cuts. 'Gets treated by a nurse who is obviously interested. A few not-so subtle negotiations and, next thing, their humping it right in the emergency care room. Oh boy. Was real life ever that interesting?
However, the main focus of this movie is the competition between these two drivers, Lauda and Hunt. These two characters, well cast, btw, could not be more different in personalities. Lauda the disciplined and intensely ambitious competitor. He drives by the numbers and never takes a risk before calculating it. Hunt, the wild boy whos' driving style is just over the line careless. Yet, not too careless because he wins races.
Lord Hesketh. One of the team owners of the era. A wealthy nobility figure, Hesketh forms his own teams and funds much of the events himself. Hesketh is much like Hunt in that he's there as much for the fun of it as he's there to win. But Hesketh loses some big sponsors and has to quit F1 for the 1976 season. Depression and drinking bouts for Hunt.
Then, next thing you know Hunt is interviewing with MacClaren for the 1976 season. And this is where the plot is centered. 1976 and the battle between Ferarri and MacClaren, Lauda and Hunt.
Remember the John Player Special Lotus team of the era. Black/gold Loti? they're in there. Brief mention of Mario Andretti. Also mention of Ronnie Petersen who was to die in the next season. The movie does not overlook the inherent danger but does not really dwell too much on the philosophical reasons for drivers to do it in the first place. Except for one scene after the '76 championship had been determined. Hunt and Lauda at an airport, Hunt taking off with a gaggle of girls on his rented jet, Lauda getting ready to fly off in his jet. The two drivers have a friendly chat. Both by now friends. A friendship that started out as hatred, then came respect.
Flying off in their different directions in private jets....The booty of being successful at the game. Both drivers had had their financial success as a result of their racing endeavors. but I'm getting ahead of myself. There's more racing to cover.
The plot works quickly from race to race, and not dwelling too long anywhere, except at Nuremburg where Lauda crashes and burns...literally. then it follows the next two races with Hunt winning and catching up in the points, while Lauda is watching from his hospital bed.
The championship remains undecided until the last race of the season, Japan. It is here where the champ will be named. And it turns out to be a race in the rain. Heavy rain.
Anyway, if you like this kind of racing, this might be a movie for you.
As racing movies go there are only a few that really stand out as being good efforts. Or at least a movie that real racing fans might want to keep in their collection. I'm thinking Grand Prix with James Garner. Lemans with Steve McQueen.....and now this one, Rush. A movie made for racing fans that does not forget what it is that is cool about it.
By now the movie is on cable. HBO.
You already know who you are and if this movie is for you. One thing I'm pretty certain about; Ron Howard the movie's creator/director is definitely a fan.
-Steve
