#TIFF13: “RUSH”

One of the Films you absolutely must absolutely see in 2013 is Ron Howard‘s Rush. Recently having premiered at TIFF ’13 to resounding praise, the Bio-Drama recounts the ruthless Rivalry between Formula-1 Drivers Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) to become World Champion in 1976.

Chronicling their tooth-and-nail Battle, Howard tells an adrenaline-driven Story of two Men in relentless pursuit of being on-top in series of Grand Prix races around the World.  And this comes at all costs, including a near-life-ending injury for Lauda who at the time is at the top of his game. Along the way, we see the personal journeys each of these two Men travel – Hunt, a hard-partying Playboy and Lauda an obsessive Type-A Personality who shuns his Rival’s lifestyle.  Rush is a high-octane tour-de-force Grudge Match with lessons to be learned in that sometimes we gain more from our Foes than we do our own Friends.

British Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle who time and again has given us scintillating scope and perspective in 2012’s under-appreciated Dredd and consecutive Collaborations with Danny Boyle in 127 Hours and Best Picture Winner, Slumdog Millionaire, once again takes us right into the heart of the Engine here.

Hemsworth at last gets a Award-worthy Vehicle for his talents here, at once unlikeable yet irresistibly magnetic, his ice-blue eyes dead-set on the Prize.  Rising Star Brühl is fantastic in his best Austrian accent, breathing multi-dimension into Lauda‘s quiet strength.  Although seen only for a  moment, Wilde captivates as Hunt‘s estranged Model-Wife Suzy Miller, unable to tear her Husband  away from his destiny.

eOne Films releases the scintillating Rush on Friday, September 27, 2013.