Movie Review: RUSH

Our hometown, classic, art-deco Charles Theatre is currently showing Rush, directed by Ron Howard.  I went last night hoping for a new LeMans-type movie, and I didn't get one.  However, this movie was not disappointing, just not what I wanted.  I am a former "fan-product" of Formula 1 Racing.  I followed the series closely from 1977 to about 1982.  I was a teen, and knew the correct pronunciations of racing names such as Jabouille, Depailler, Ligier, Tyrrell . . . and my favorite drivers?  Gilles Villeneuve and Niki Lauda.

I would have enjoyed seeing more of the "tech-type" nuances in Rush that only a true motorsport fan or former racer would understand.  It portrayed James Hunt as a total party boy (which he kinda was), but it took away from the serious rivalry between these two drivers.  It appeared they pulled a couple original cars from museums or collections and filmed stunt drivers (or slow, aged former drivers) for race footage.  It looked staged.  The last 15 minutes of film is the best part of the movie - The Japanese GP rain race - and whereas both drivers meet next to Lauda's aircraft and reflect on their racing and life differences.  Actual stills and historical data on both men end this movie and form a lasting impression on one of the greatest seasons in any type of motor racing.  The 1976 F1 World Championship and the storyline that went with it.