Rush Review
RYAN: This is the new movie from director Ron Howard and I did not connect with this film at all. It’s about rival race car drivers, based on a true story, and I didn’t care if either of them would have crashed and burned.
CHUCK: [laughs’ Ok. And I felt the opposite. I loved it. I found it exhilarating; a great story of two adversaries in a dangerous sport and the best direction of car racing I’ve seen.
RYAN: It was directed and shot beautifully. It looks really good and he nailed the period of the mid-70s: the hair, costumes…
CHUCK: The graininess of the film and yet not dour. It was bright.
RYAN: But here’s the thing. I’m not into car racing and I don’t like most sports, but even football and baseball movies that are done well are completely rousing. Caring and feeling about the characters and the story and becoming emotional. But this movie turned me off completely. The climax didn’t work for me. It was like watching boxing in real life. It’s dangerous and they’re acting like idiots. Why are they doing it?
CHUCK: But that’s the question. Why do they do it and they keep on doing it. Maybe not to ask the question but they just live for it.
RYAN: I know it’s based on a true story but I can’t believe they raced in those rainy conditions. And they did!
CHUCK: That’s why it’s cinematic. You’re just not a driver.
RYAN: That’s true. I don’t even like driving five minutes. I’m still a walking New Yorker at heart. It’s very well cast. I enjoyed Thor in this role, aka Chris Hemsworth, especially early on when he’s nekkid. Hello Thor. Olivia Wilde is also here. She’s works a magnificent British accent.
CHUCK: For a hot minute, she’s in it. She has, like, four scenes. I liked Chris better in this role than as Thor.
RYAN: Me too. He has much more personality in this role.
CHUCK: But he sounded like Peter O’Toole.
RYAN: I kept thinking Paul Bettany, and Chris is Australian. He also did a great British accent. Great charm. Even his rival in this…
CHUCK: Daniel Bruhl.
RYAN: He looks like a Rankin/Bass claymation person
CHUCK: [laughs’ A little bit but this really was his movie. His performance was outstanding.
RYAN: The film is told from his perspective. He’s the narrator. He was good. I didn’t like him because he flips halfway through the movie and it confused me.
CHUCK: His motivation is explained by the end but you do have to stick with it.
RYAN: Yeah this movie never inspired me to care so by the end I wasn’t invested. Also the effects are gross. There are several vomiting shots we could have done without. And then the hospital scenes were hard to watch. I understand how in a movie like 127 Hours it makes sense to make the audience feel what the character is living through but I didn’t think it was necessary in this movie and I was annoyed by it.
CHUCK: I think it was completely necessary. What he goes through makes you understand him more and the dangers of the sport. And to understand what he’s going through mentally… it’s amazing.
RYAN: There’s no arguing it because it’s true but again, I just couldn’t connect to it.
CHUCK: It shows different sides of racing, though, and what it means to those involved.
RYAN: This movie is just not my cup of tea. Probably anyone who uses the phrase cup of tea wouldn’t enjoy it. But if you’re interested by the trailer, by all means, see it and judge it for yourself.
