ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXRon Howard's 'Rush'
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
(Note) No spoilers are given away if you haven't seen it.
Every once in a while a film comes along that just blows my socks off - Rush by Ron Howard is one of them.
I don't think I've been in awe of such talent than I have in this particular film. As much as I enjoy movies and TV series, it's not often that they have this profound effect on me. To be totally submersed that you forget you're in a cinema has to be the biggest compliment you can pay the filmmakers. The cinematography (Antony Dod Mantle) was beyond beautiful, it took you to the point where it almost felt like you were watching it in 3D; I could almost smell the oil on the race track; even the attention to detail: such as the summer sunlight of 1976 in England flooding through the windows took me right back to my childhood. I don't think I've seen cinematography used in such a skilful way; of course it's got that 70s grainy effect, but it's much more than that, the use of cinematography in this film was at its best at evoking emotions and sheer dread.
As for the script, Peter Morgan is a genius at his craft. As in 'The Last King of Scotland' 'Frost/Nixon' and the 'Damned United' he somehow manages to draw you into the very being of that character and feel what they are feeling. He always manages to embed a sense of morals and wisdom, but it's never on the nose. Despite the huge budget, the big machine involved, it seems like Ron and Peter always make sure we're reminded of being human, whether it's vulnerability, wisdom or inspiration; this for me is what makes a great movie. When I look at Frost/Nixon and Rush, the pairing of Ron Howard and Peter Morgan has to be one of the best collaborations there's ever been, in my humble opinion. I can't wait to see what they do next. The film is just as the title states, a rush.
I know that film and stories are subjective. Some of you may have hated this film, it would be interesting to know if it left anyone else feeling the same way as me, both in a profound way and taking into account the sheer talent of everyone who worked on the movie.
Amazing to see that an actor, Joe Ferrara, who played one of the leads in one of my own short films (if it's ever finished as it's not under my control) has a small part it in too - lovely to see people getting on in their careers.
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11 years, 11 months ago - Michael Patrick Kelly
How strange that people can respond to my comments before they are actually posted?? Is someone being paid to promote this film?
As I stated; the cinema was top notch - it was a SAG screening. The house was packed and I'm sure others in attendance actually liked the film. But, that said, I'm kinda surprised that there has been a huge discussion on SP about the why there is apparently not enough female directors, but no-one seems to care that this film had only 1 dimensional, (and that's being kind), female characters. SPOILER ALERT! The women in this film are there only to be fucked, and so ridiculously -- Can anyone believe that the Hunt character fucks the nurse in the examining room? And, that's just the beginning - take a 2nd look at how women are portrayed throughout this film. Also, the hitchhiking scene that Mr. Howard directly rips off from "It Happened One Night" is poorly done. (Sure, if you steal, steal from the best but make it believable). What I mostly did not like about this film besides the one dimensional female characters and the reason I say it's flat - is that it had no real turning points. I couldn't get involved with either of the lead characters. I didn't care which one won, or if both of them died. I simply didn't care. They were both douche-bags One sexy, and one not. To reiterate, this film was loud, boring, and largely forgettable. On another note, I saw "Prisoners" last night -- maybe we should talk about a film that really "Blows your socks off" superbly written, directed and acted. A film that can actually make you appreciate Jake Gyllenhaal.
11 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
If you mean my response BTW, how the heck do you think I respond if you haven't posted? Time machine? Mind reader?!
I have no idea if a union for actors 3000 miles away screens at the best or worst facilities, you do seem a bit keen to push the point as if I'm supposed to.
It's OK, you didn't like the film, I believe you.
11 years, 11 months ago - Michael Patrick Kelly
I couldn't disagree more. I saw Rush last night, and the best word to describe it would be anemic - It was flat, not boring, just flat. The sound was so awful the elderly woman next to me had her fingers in her ears for most of the time. I saw the film in NYC as part of the SAG screening series so it wasn't the theatre or system. I found the scene near the opening after meeting the nurse to be - STUPID. Didn't care about the characters enough to root for either of them. I could go on but that would have to include spoilers.
11 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Fingers in ears suggests it was just to loud maybe? Obviously I don't know the cinema screen you saw it on, but if I was picking 5 words to describe the sound mix, flat wouldn't have been one of them. Wonder what went wrong? Maybe the screen played a stereo mix instead of the 7.1 or whatever it comes with, maybe they played that loud to compensate for only playing the stereo mix or something. How strange!
11 years, 11 months ago - Steve Hammal
It had a compelling true story, well acted by the leads. Masterful Cinematography and particularly editing. I walk out disappointed from so many films but this one was a cut above. Every element coming together to create something that felt more than the sum of it's parts. Top work Mr Howard.
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Hell, what must it take to excite you then - Ha! Just kidding ;)
As I said, all films are subjective, that's what makes us all so wonderfully diverse - thank goodness :)
11 years, 11 months ago - Dan Keating
This sounds fantastic. I feel another trip to the cinema coming on - if only to relive my 70's childhood. I'm intrigued to know whether the story was conceived by Howard or whether the script just found its way to his desk.
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Nice to hear your thoughts Steve, and I second that :)
11 years, 11 months ago - Ayesha Casely-Hayford
Completely agree Jane! I saw Rush last Friday and was buzzing.
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Hi Ayesha,
Yep buzzing is definitely the word for it :)
11 years, 11 months ago - Steve Hammal
And I can't stand Motor Racing !!!!
11 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Just watched it, better than I was expecting as I'm not really into racing! Some very solid performances from the leads, although I never really felt their relationship in the same way as both actors sparked more with other cast. Perhaps that's the point, but it didn't feel like the strongest part of the film to me. I felt all the drama was in the set pieces, not the personal relationships.
The set pieces, though, were fabulous! Wow! The bits that really popped for me were the sound design and the colouring. The grade used a very select 70's-feeling palette without feeling forced. Subtle but very effective for the period. The races were packed with energy and adrenaline - they spoke of two individual battles with the road as opposed to a battle between the two racers to me. Certainly incredible bits of work, my heart is still pounding :-)
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Michael,
I think you're taking things far too seriously. It's just a simple discussion about a film where I was curious to know peoples' thoughts and wanted light-hearted chit chat - that'll teach me eh?
I don't know Ron Howard, never met him, (I wish!) never met the writer, or any of the crew, not even the actor Joe Ferrara who was in a short of mine.
It blew my socks off, clearly it cemented yours on. I'm entitled to indulge in a conversation about a film I loved, just as you are entitled to disagree; however, I can't think for the life of me why you're getting all worked up about it.
Women are portrayed like that all the time on TV. Nothing's changed and won't for a long time; I accept that, and yes, it's not great, but this is a film about the 70s lifestyle. It was hedonistic. I feel the time during Formula 1 is portrayed just as it would have been. As for the nurse, if I'm honest, I don't think it was stupid. No one knows except the nurse and James Hunt if that was true, but he did have groupies and women throwing themselves at him.
You couldn't get involved with the characters, and that's fine, I accept that, however, I did get heavily involved and I didn't realize until watching the film how admirable Niki Lauda is. He's become a hero of mine. It's hard to give talk about it without giving anything away; but the hospital scene and what he went through is beyond heroic and shows the strength of a human being, and whether you say that's ego, or sheer will to survive, it could be any or both; but that affected me deeply and inspired me so much, so why must you feel the need to be so aggressive about a film that someone found inspiring, skilled and simply loved. I can accept that you really hated it and found it stupid, that's your entitled opinion, however, I strongly disagree about the amount of talent and skill in it. From an artistic point of view the skills of the director and the sound and cinematography was simply breath-taking. I thought it was incredible, you didn't, simple as - what's the problem?
I'm not sure what it is on SP, but some members seem hell bent on arguing. It's tedious and makes me not want to post anything - I'm talking about a film, not arguing over who should press the defcon 5 button. I presumed a discussion about films is what us filmmakers and writers like to do?
As for people responding to your comments before they are posted, I've no idea about that, ask SP.
There are so many other things I could tell you why I loved the movie, but until people have watched it I can't discuss that, because it's going to ruin it for them. What you have done Michael, is probably increased Mr Howard's bank account ten fold as everyone's going to want to watch it now so see what we're arguing about - or is that the plan? Are you his secret marketing employee?
Please lighten up, it's just a film discussion for goodness sake :)
I'm going away to Scotland tomorrow for a nice long well earned break, so I won't be able to reply until Monday, until then you'll have to argue with yourself ;)
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Reliving my 70s childhood was part of the attraction for me too.
It looks like the script was completely down to Peter - I found a tiny snippet that gives away that fact: some stuff on digital spy, the link's here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a383885/ron-howard-fantastic-characters-drew-me-to-make-rush.html
Hope you enjoy the film Dan :)
11 years, 11 months ago - Jane Hamer
Glad you enjoy it Paddy.
Yes, the sound was incredible. You've hit the nail on the head with the grade; I agree, and if anyone grew up in the 70s, particularly in England with the quality of light we have - or had back then, as I swear it was different, we don't seem to get those hazy summers anymore - anyway, I think people would agree with you on the grade. I don't think it was accident that they got it so right either, I think they most likely researched it very well, or it was in the script.
It certainly is a heart pounding film :)