Rush: un viaje al infierno

Rush does not have my favorite atmosphere, that of big belt buckles, long hair, cowboy hats, and barrelhead bars. Not a fan. But, the film is very powerful. It's directed with a very discerning pace and clearcut, head-on reception of every emotion and tension released by every scene by Lili Fini Zanuck. Because of this, the film, which some say is not so action- packed, is actually brimming with action. The action doesn't largely involve guns or chases or fights but involves a harrowing ride through the attacks of libido and paranoia of drug addiction. The film is a masterpiece of direct film-making. Not only is Zanuck's aforementioned style barefaced and precise, the story is the reality of a deep cover narcotics operation. Hardly any connection with the outside world at all, the acclamation to hard drugs, the dangerous risk taken by the chemistry between the narcs working together, and the unexpected traumatic, malicious confrontations that turn out to be the most harrowing and affecting experiences on the whole.

Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh make for a surprisingly very intense duo. Patric delivers a gem of a performance as a dark, hardened cop who reaches the peak of every alarming human extent. Leigh, as the straight man so to speak in that particular area, delivers on quite a sensitive note. Also, having been scarred by her maddening irritating side in The Hudsucker Proxy, I was happy to see her in a performance where she did not go over the top and stayed at the level that made her stand out quite a lot. And, on a side note, I had no idea she was so hot. Her body, especially around the level of the hips and thighs, is perfection rarely so magnified. Watch for the scene in the apartment where she's wearing jeans and a black shirt. You'll sweat till your clothes stick.

Rush has what one wouldn't expect from a film like it, and that is a villain that is an added bonus in every way. We see him only as silent punctuation at the beginning, middle, and end. He is elusive, smarter than any of his partners, calculating, all underneath that long Texas hair of his. From the start, we are presented with a man who only appears to all that come in contact with him to be no different, wearing boots, the accent, everything I said at the top, the like, but beneath the appearance is someone who knows the trouble and chaos those who try to catch him throughout the film are about to go through and smirks inside about it.

Rush was a controversial film upon it's initial release. Scenes depicting drug use by police officers were denounced by the usual Fraternal Orders and right wing cranks. Those scenes are only part of what makes Rush such a memorable experience. Good performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh as a starry eyed rookie narc, Sam Elliott as her burned out boss, and especially Max Perlich as a construction worker making some extra bucks in the drug trade anchor a film that makes a mockery of our vain attempts to somehow end the importation and use of these illegal substances. When does use change into addiction? How far will we go to stop people from abusing their bodies, and how many lies must be told in the process? Rush is a brave and provocative film that tells it's story without histrionics, a minimum of gunplay, and a dearth of sensationalism...despite what Officer Friendly may say about it.

Set in East Texas an undercover narcotics agent by the name of "Jim Raynor" (Jason Patric) is given an assignment to gather enough evidence to convict a well-connected drug dealer named "Will Gaines" (Greg Allman). Realizing the risks in an operation of this sort he chooses an attractive rookie cop by the name of "Kristen Cates" (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to be his partner. Although she is warned beforehand that the narcotics environment can drastically affect a person she agrees to accept the assignment in the naïve belief that she can "make a difference". Little does she know just how bad it will get for her and her partner as they descend into seamy world of drugs and addiction. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I was very impressed with the raw and brutal nature of this film with both Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh put in outstanding performances in their respective roles. To a lesser extent I also liked the performance of Max Perlich (as the small-time drug dealer known simply as "Walker") as well. In any case, as mentioned earlier this film has some rather explicit scenes here and there but it definitely kept my attention from start-to-finish and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

For those who claim this film unrealistic, mind you it is based on a true story. I hail Rush as one of the most powerful and emotional films to ever portray addiction. The characters coupled with Pete Dexter's realistic and sincere dialog paint a very sad, yet human picture of our culture. Our need to punish crime, yet our inability to steer 100% clear of it, is one of many themes intertwined with Rush's story. This film is a fine example of true filmmaking. There are no big effects, no trick stunts, yet one cannot turn away from the screen. Everything from the sutle production design to Eric Clapton's score make Rush a true modern classic.

Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh play two beat cops graduating to agents who are given a rather diabolical case on their first undercover go-around. The two are tasked with gathering enough evidence to jail a ruthless drug lord (Gregg Allman). The two go through a good amount of close calls with Allman and company and after trying heroin a few times; become full-fledged addicts. A move which prevents much of anything in the way of investigations to happen. A strong cast and keenly realized ending make up for the lull spots that seem to plague the very middle of the film.