Due to my antipathy towards the uncompetitive, advertising-on-wheels that is Formula One (it's NOT a sport; it is a money-making machine for Bernie Ecclestone), I have previously avoided watching any F1-related films. However, after enjoying the amazing documentary 'Senna' in the past week, I decided to get on my second London bus as it arrived in swift succession to the first, and watched Ron Howard's 'Rush'.
The film dramatically and vividly captures a year in the fierce rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. I understand that the writer, Peter Morgan, has taken artistic licence (the relationship between them was better off track than shown - they shared a flat together at one point). However, this certainly makes for a compelling narrative as the analytical, unsociable Lauda races against the likeable rogue Hunt.
I was young when they raced, and did not have any interest in the events of the film as they happened. However, I do recall Hunt and am impressed at how well, to my recollection, Chris Hemsworth captures his mannerisms.
I streamed the film and am aware that this reduced the impact a little of the film's character: the raw, guttural noise of the cars was still there, but with children in bed and dogs to worry about, I was unable to re-create the intensity that I would have enjoyed in the cinema. The volume had to stay on the low side. If you watch this movie, crank up the soundtrack to get the full experience.
The very clear message is that Hunt simply wanted to enjoy life to the full. He stretched and strove to hit the absolute peak in his driver's craft, and once there, wanted to soak in all that it availed him. Hunt is presented brilliantly by Hemsworth as a natural genius (part of quite a family of actors those Hemsworth boys). Daniel Bruehl is no less impressive in his role as a robotic, risk-measuring Lauda.
I had forgotten the fantastic final twist to the 1976 season. The film is astonishing in how it captures the racing sequences, especially the climactic Japanese race and all the factors that shaped its outcome. We share the visceral driving experience from the drivers' perspective, and get as close as it is possible for this non-F1 aficionado to really sit in the cockpit.
So, a second F1 film that I have enjoyed in a week. Who WOULD have thought it?