True to its title, this account of the rivalry between aspiring 1976 Grand Prix champions James Hunt and Niki Lauda is solid and fast-paced. As with Formula 1 itself, however, it does seem to go around in circles a great deal.
Clearly inspired by the documentary Senna, director Ron Howard sets up a clash of personalities and driving philosophies. Chris Hemsworth is impulsive playboy Hunt; the brilliant Daniel Brühl (Inglorious Basterds) is scene-stealing as the emotionally repressed Lauda.
The latter is undoubtedly the more interesting character. He buys his way into the sport only to become a fierce competitor, overcoming a near-fatal accident. Alas, Howard tries to turn a complex story into a mainstream Hollywood flick. The film follows the familiar beats of a mainstream movie: The Negative First Impression, Personality Clash, Foreshadowing of Tragic Accident, Tragic Accident, Redemption and The Meaningful Speech About How “We’re the Same, You and I.” It’s practically a rom-com: By the end, you’ll be shouting, “Oh just kiss him!” at the screen.
The performances do shine through Howard’s lack of style and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire) imbues the race sequences with a dynamic energy. The result is a solid, crowd-pleasing but forgettable racing romp, with a story that deserve better.