“They could never have imagined, those pioneers who invented the automobile that it would possess us like this, our imaginations, our dreams” (Rush).

The movie Rush brings viewers the tension and excitement of Niki Lauda and James Hunt’s Formula 1 rivalry while maintaining factual accuracy. Niki Lauda is methodical and focused, while James Hunt is a brash playboy who never takes anything seriously. Both men face their own personal difficulties while fighting to become world champion. Their hardships result in a pair of characters you both want to succeed.

Analyzing Rush reveals patterns in Ron Howard’s directorial approach. Scenes where the subject is far away from the camera tends to have the subject brighter than its surroundings. The photo bellow is clearly highlighting the bright red car closest to us, despite the dark, rainy day. The mise-en-scène of this scene is gloomy, almost distraught. but there is hope in the illuminated car of James Hunt sitting in pole position

The scene below shows an interview with Niki Lauda about his return to racing after a large accident

Opening with a wide angle out of focus shot relates to Niki’s current mental and physical state. Niki has been fighting injuries and is back racing long before anyone thought he would be. Panning the room tells shows all the reporters who feel almost alien. Tight shots surrounding Lauda, his name card, and cameras help tell us this is a live broadcast and the conference is all about Niki. Characters who do not show much emotion (such as the reporters) are framed loosely, often from above. Emotions are captured up close with the character taking up nearly the entire screen and help us connect on a personal level. Pacing in this scene is slow, and deliberate. Which increasing the impact of Niki’s return to racing. At the end of the scene the pace increases and the camera gets shaky, moving with James Hunt as he fights a reporter.

Colors and lighting are in play as well. This scene is dull and not particularly bright, adding to the nervous feeling as Niki returns to racing after the crash. The reporters are bellow and dimly lit. While Niki is above them at a table with some sunlight on him, making hime the center of the scene. James Hunt is in the back yet there is bright lighting on his face.

The start of the final race of the season

Music through the movie also follows patterns. Blown out, bass heavy beats are used to represent heartbeats, and build to a crescendo as the action intensifies. Strings are used to display the severity of a scene. The final race, which is ran in excessively dangerous conditions opens with slow deep music as people using black umbrealas walk around the cars. The music and color of the scene make it feel like a funeral. Making it stressful to watch. The music is only broken by the sound of heavy rain, revving engines, and the low rumble of the spectators.

While this scene shows the drivers already wearing helmets, the emotions captured is unbelievable. As the two rivals uncharacteristically wave to one another, you begin to feel sure one will not survive this race. The crowd also acts differently, there was a scared tension in the air captured by slow movements and wide dark shots focusing on small movements like the cars quivering on the start line.

The starting sequence happens very slowly and deliberately. The man starting the race was framed tightly showing fear on his face. While the cars slowly move from the start shaky cameras and the slowing of time made the scene feel surreal heightening the tension.

Storytelling in Rush is cyclical, opening at the same race it finishes, the 1976 Japanese Gran Prix. Setting the scene with a first person narration by Niki Lauda. This is our first experience with the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki, as well as the danger present in Formula 1. Once the race begins the film goes back in time six years to tell the story leading to that fateful day. August First, 1976.

Below is the first scene of the movie, above is where we are reintroduced to this race. Over an hour and a half later in the film.

Rush, Opening Scene

By the end of Rush you have learned so much of Hunt and Lauda that you want them each to succeed. The antagonist of the film seems to be death. While not a specific character it begins to loom over the characters as the story progresses. With the final race the audience shifts from being concerned about who will win, but who might die

Some time after watching Rush I was still struggling with a making sense of a cultural analysis of the movie. Unlike most stories it doesn’t have a clear antagonist, and protagonist. It’s more of a dramatized reenactment of the actual rivalry which took place between Hunt and Lauda. I found it to be more more relatable to everyday competition and rivalry. In our daily lives there is seldom a true antagonist who we are in a drawn out battle against. Usually people we struggle to get along with are fighting the same battles we are, and are more similar to us than we would like to think.

Rush does an incredible job at making the viewer feel like everything they are seeing is real. As the movie continues our investment in the characters builds. The framing of the characters faces, and the music and lighting surrounding the film shows so much emotion. Ron Howard uses this emotional attachment to his advantage throughout the movie building to the final scenes. During which the viewers truly fear for the wellbeing of James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

Rush is a dramatized reenactment of true events. It hasn’t been over-hollywoodized, but it is more flashy than a true documentary would be. By the end you find yourself rooting for two main characters, which is very unique about this film.

If you are interested in the film here is a interview with Niki Lauda about the film.

Sources:

Start of final race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C4G-NvsAF0

movie poster https://cloudpix.co/dvd-cover-movie-poster-rush-706688.html

Cars on grid http://media.cdn.mclaren.com/images/galleries/8D92_D009_00042_R_DRDTqvU.jpg

Opening Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8OUxsMHySo