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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Rush
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl, Olivia Wilde, and Alexandra Maria Lara
Synopsis: In America, when people think of auto racing the first thing that comes to mind is NASCAR. Outside of the NFL, NASCAR is probably our most popular sport. But as with so many things, Americans tend to by myopic when it comes to auto racing. Outside of America, the top form of racing remains Formula One. It presents a greater challenge, higher stakes and requires greater skill. That’s what makes “Rush,” a film about Formula One racers Niki Lauda and James Hunt during the 1970s, so fascinating. It’s an exceptional film, and a story more people in America probably aren’t familiar with. Director Ron Howard, who has shown his ability with a variety of different types of films over the years, delivers some exceptional racing footage while teaming with screenwriter Peter Morgan (“The Queen”) to deliver a fascinating story of two drivers on different paths. Hunt (Hemsworth) was the consummate super star. He had the charm, the good looks and the appetite for all the trappings of fame. He was also a talented driver who wasn’t afraid to take risks to accomplish his dreams. Lauda (Brühl) had a different approach. He didn’t have the good looks or the affable personality to gain popularity. But he was talented as a driver, he was dedicated when it came to preparing his car and he was driven to be the best. The pair had opposite approaches to racing and life, but found themselves running toe-to-toe when it came to success on the track in 1976. Lauda entered the season as the reigning Formula One champion, while Hunt was determined to catch him. After Lauda took a lead in the points, he was badly injured in a crash in August. While he struggled to recover, Hunt moved up in the standings until the final race of the season would determine who would be the next Formula One champion. Since “Rush” is based on a true story, it’s easy to find out the specifics of each man’s career and life. But wondering what happens isn’t the point of the film — it’s exploring the rivalry on the track and unlikely friendship that bonded these two great competitors. And it’s capturing the thrill, excitement and terrific danger that’s a part of Formula One. “Rush” manages to do all of that in an exceptional way. Morgan, who has written scripts for several top films in recent years, was an inspired choice to pen this biopic. He hits all the important points to capture the excitement on the track, but his script is far more focused on exploring who Hunt and Lauda were as men, their struggles, their private lives and the mutual respect they had for each other’s talent. Howard, who won the Academy Award for Best Director for “A Beautiful Mind,” offers perhaps his best film to date. The action of the races is intense and beautifully filmed, while the inter-personal drama provides the heart and soul of the film. It’s a masterfully composed final work that is nothing short of riveting. The film also benefits from some wonderful performances. Bruhl and Hemsworth are great in the lead roles, each embodying their characters in a fascinating way. The film also benefits from some great supporting performances — particularly from Alexandra Maria Lara as Lauda’s wife, Marlene. There is plenty of racing action, a beautifully told story and an incredibly engaging narrative in “Rush,” which is easily one of the best films of the year so far. Even for those who aren’t racing fans and aren’t familiar with the world of Formula One, this is a story worth checking out.
Rating: R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, October 11 — "Captain Phillips," "Machette Kills," "Romeo and Juliet"

Friday, October 18 — "The Fifth Estate," "Carrie," "Escape Plan," "12 Years A Slave"

Friday, October 25 — "The Counselor," "Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa," "Blue Is The Warmest Color"