Rush (2013)
Chronicling the epic rivalry between world famous racing drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda from 1970 to 1976, Rush is written by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon) and directed by Ron Howard. The film succeeds in taking something that could easily be dismissed as petty rivalry between privileged men, and instead creates a thrilling tale of ambition, passion and a competitive relationship so co-dependent as to almost result in death.
With Chris Hemsworth in the role of the extrovert playboy James Hunt, and Daniel Bruhl in the role of introvert, conservative Niki Lauda, director Howard delivers scenes that build tension both on and off the racing circuit, as the two drivers rapidly push each other up the ranks of the sport, until they reach the top of Formula One motor racing. Here, their rivalry forces them to drive in poor conditions, ending in a near-fatal crash for Lauda. Far from being the end of the story, however, it is their rivalry that speeds his recovery, and sets them on course for a breath-taking racing showdown. The kernel of the true tale shines through the minutiae of the racing world, to deliver a very human story about the nature of ambition.