RUSH

A great film about the hippy drug culture of the 1970s.

If you haven’t already, check out the excellent film Rush. This film takes you in the hippy drug culture of the 1970s. To briefly summarize, while the 1960s were a big hippy party, the 1970s were the hangover. Well, for some.

Some hippies traded drugs for more healthy pursuits in the 1970s. They dialed back the LSD and got in to health foods, yoga, vegetarianism, meditation, back to the land etc. But other hippies traded LSD for uppers, downers, heroin, coke and other forms of chemical garbage, and some of them paid dearly for that choice. The film RUSH takes you in that world.

Review of "Rush" (1991): A Gritty Dive into the Abyss of Drug Enforcement

Lili Fini Zanuck's directorial debut, "Rush" (1991), is a powerful, unsettling exploration of the blurred lines between duty and downfall, law enforcement, and lawlessness. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, a notorious era for its drug culture, the film follows two undercover narcotics detectives, played with intensity and depth by Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh, as they navigate the perilous waters of their assignments.

"Rush" distinguishes itself by refusing to glamorize the undercover lifestyle. Instead, it presents a stark, unflinching look at the psychological and ethical quandaries that come with the territory. Patric and Leigh deliver performances that are raw and vulnerable, capturing the essence of characters caught in a web from which escape seems increasingly impossible.

The film's portrayal of addiction is both harrowing and empathetic. It doesn't shy away from showing the characters' descent into the very drug dependency they're fighting against, offering a poignant commentary on the cyclical nature of drug abuse and the war on drugs.

Cinematographically, "Rush" captures the gritty essence of its setting. The use of lighting and the color palette evoke a sense of claustrophobia and dread, mirroring the internal turmoil of the protagonists. The soundtrack, featuring Eric Clapton’s hauntingly beautiful score, underscores the film's emotional depth and the high stakes of its narrative.

However, "Rush" is not without its critics. Some argue that the film’s pacing can feel uneven, and its resolution might leave viewers wanting more clarity. Yet, these elements can also be interpreted as reflective of the unpredictable, often unresolved nature of real-life addiction and law enforcement work.

In conclusion, "Rush" (1991) is a compelling, thought-provoking film that challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of right and wrong, addiction, and redemption. It's a significant cinematic piece that contributes to the conversation about the complexities of drug enforcement and the human cost of addiction. For those seeking a film that combines intense drama with profound themes, "Rush" is a must-watch.