Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Rush Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 25, 2022

Lili Fini Zanuck's "Rush" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with the director; exclusive new program with actor Jason Patric; exclusive new program with writer Kim Wozencraft; exclusive new audio commentary by entertainment journalist and author Bryan Reesman; vintage featurette; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

"Somebody told me you were a badass. Tell me something, badass. You think I'm stupid?"

How strange is it that Rush remains the only film Lili Fini Zanuck has directed to date? Well, it is as strange as the fact that it features one of the greatest soundtracks that has been created for a neo-noir film. In fact, Eric Clapton’s soundtrack might be the greatest of them all because its biggest rivals are the soundtracks for Paul Shrader’s Light Sleeper and Dennis Hopper’s The Hot Spot and as fantastic as they are both are a notch or two below it. It is even stranger that the manner in which the music and the visuals blend in Rush is flawless, which isn’t supposed to happen in a directorial debut. Also, even by ‘80s and ‘90s standards, Rush hits pretty hard. If you remove its neo-noir stylization, its depiction of drug addiction is as authentic as that of Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream. So, there is a whole lot of strange in Rush, isn’t it?

I hadn’t revisited Rush in a very long time, probably since 2002 when it was released on DVD, and was quite surprised to see how well it has aged. For example, in 2022 you won’t have to spend too much time searching for a small town that looks exactly like Caterly does in Rush. In fact, there is an excellent chance that you live in such a town, but if you don’t, it is guaranteed that there is one right next to you. It is a quiet place where nowadays people are driving more foreign cars and trucks, but the local drug scene should be pretty much the same as the one Rush reveals. What about the actual drugs that are ruining this town? The grass should be the same but more than likely it will be sold legally. The hard drugs would be imported, cheaper and deadlier. Fentanyl could very well be a lot more popular than cocaine and heroin. There would be cops trying to bust some of the local dealers, but their work would be tainted by plenty of politics, exactly like in Rush.

So, how did Zanuck manage to direct such an accurate and enduring film even though it was her first?

Zanuck worked with a screenplay by Peter Dexter, who had adapted Kim Wozencraft’s novel of the same name, which was also her first. The novel tells a story that is set in the ‘70s, not the ‘90s, and its description of the drug scene and especially its intensity are far more disturbing. Also, key elements of this story, such as the evolution of the relationship between the veteran cop and his assistant and their connection to the prominent local drug dealer that becomes their target, are quite different. (In the novel, all of the drama is witnessed through the eyes of the female assistant as well). Furthermore, the novel offers a greater analysis of the peripheral police work that is done while the operation to get the drug dealer is underway and the politics behind it. In Rush, Zanuck shrinks the story and introduces a more straightforward relationship between the cop and his assistant but does not filter out its ugliness. When the two enter the dark abyss where drug addicts always get stuck in and self-destruct, Zanuck simply reaches its bottom quicker than Wonzencraft does in her novel.

The other important reason Rush remains an authentic hard-hitter is its ability to preserve the zeitgeist of the small-town drug scene. (This is the exact reason The Panic in Needle Park and Traffic as well as smaller European projects like The Needle and Dealer remain very effective films as well). This is done by acknowledging that the drug scene is actually a natural piece of the Texan mise-en-scene, which instantly makes the already very intense drama appear entirely authentic as well.

Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh are the undisputed stars of Rush, but the entire cast is very impressive. The late Gregg Allman, for instance, utters only a couple of words, but his performance is of the kind that only real pros can deliver. A typically great Max Perlich plays a local pusher whose loyalty is tested. William Sadler is another pusher who is on the verge of losing his mind. Dennis Berkley is a sweaty bad guy mingling with other bad guys. And the great Sam Elliott is the senior detective in charge of the entire operation that fuels the drama.

*In an archival program that is included on this release, it is revealed that Patric shot saline solution in one of the most disturbing sequences in Rush.

Rush Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Rush arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

In the United States, Rush made its high-definition debut via Kino Lorber with this release, which was sourced from an old master supplied by MGM. This release is sourced from the same master.

The limitations of the master show mostly during daylight footage delineation, clarity, and depth are very clearly not optimal. Grain exposure is inconsistent as well, so in some backgrounds, you will recognize flat spots that should look better (see screencapture #9). However, the overwhelming majority of the footage was shot indoors with restricted light or at night, so this darker footage actually hides the limitations of the master pretty well. As a result, many close-ups and wider shots can look decent and even quite good. Color balance is stable. However, saturation and nuances can be easily improved. On the other hand, the warmer redish/magenta appearance is definitely reflective of the film's theatrical appearance. (The bar footage looks very accurate). Image stability is good. Some tiny dark spots and marks can be seen, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, stains, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Rush Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and thought that it handles the unique qualities of the film's soundtrack very well. This isn't easy. There is quite a bit of intense action and then there is the subtle presence of Eric Clapton's tracks that introduce new ranges of smaller contrasts. The dialog is always clear and easy to follow as well. So, even though the current lossless track was almost certainly prepared during the DVD era, I like it a lot.

Rush Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Not for Beauty's Sake" - in this exclusive new program, actor Jason Patric recalls how he was contacted by producer Richard Zanuck and offered the role of Jim Raynor in Rush, his preparation for the role and interactions with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gregg Allman's nervousness and drastically different presence in the film, and the nature of the drama that is depicted in it. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• "Going to Work" - in this exclusive new program, director Lili Fini Zanuck discusses her relationship with producer Richard Zanuck, her work as a producer, and the conception and production of Rush. Also, there are some very interesting comments about the pairing of Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the original material from Kim Wozencraft's novel, and the film's '70s personality. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• "Psychologically True" - in this exclusive new program, writer Kim Wozencraft recalls the exact moment she decided to become a police officer and consequently her first experiences in the Dallas area where she was also trained to take drugs, how she entered the local drug scene and began developing an addiction, the conception of her book, and the transition of the original material to the big screen. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Commentary One - in this archival commentary, Lili Fini Zanuck recalls some of the challenges she was presented with while filming Rush in and around Huston, Texas; the casting of Gregg Allman and his tremendous presence throughout the film; the specific locations that were chosen for various sequences; Kim Wozencraft's novel; the fact that the film is about partners; etc. Also, there are some very interesting observations about the relationship between Eric Clapton's music and the visuals. It is a very solid commentary that is worth spending two hours with if you wish to learn what it took to put Rush together.

• Commentary Two - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by entertainment journalist and author Bryan Reesman. The majority of the comments address the visual composition of Rush, the tone and message of the film, the careers of the various cast members, and the film's lasting appeal.

• "She's Got and Edge to Her" - this exclusive new video essay was prepared by critic Chris O'Neil. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• "Filming Rush" - this vintage program features clips from archival interviews with Lili Fini Zanuck, Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gregg Allman, and Sam Elliott, as well as raw footage from the shooting of the film. There is a nice clip with Eric Clapton performing and discussing his involvement with Rush as well. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• "Tears in Heaven" - presented here is the original music video for Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven". (5 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage theatrical trailer for Rush. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Booklet - 60-page illustrated booklet featuring essays by critics Walter Chaw and Pater Galvin.

Rush Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you. This famous quote from Friedrich Nietzsche sums up perfectly Lili Fini Zanuck's only film, Rush, which is based on an equally terrifying novel by Kim Wozencraft. There are some discrepancies between Rush and the novel, but given the nature of the original material, I think that Zanuck went as far as she could have without turning the film into a miserabilist endurance test. Also, whenever Rush is mentioned, Eric Clapton's soundtrack needs to be immediately brought up because it is a genuine masterpiece, arguably one of the all-time greatest created for a neo-noir film. Via Vision Entertainment's release is sourced from an older but mostly decent master that was supplied by MGM. As expected, it features an excellent selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features as well. It is included in After Dark: Neo Noir Cinema Collection One, a six-disc box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.