Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Rush is a biopic from director Ron Howard about two 1970s Grand Prix champions, James Hunt and Niki Lauda. It depicts their athletic skill and determination, but it's also about their dark sides: their excesses, dirty tricks, and personal failures. In other words, they aren't anywhere near the squeaky-clean role models parents might be hoping for. The movie includes several car crashes, with blood and bones shown, and a very intense sequence in which one character is badly burned. Language is very strong, with uses of "f--k," "a--hole," and "c--t." Hunt sleeps with many women, and some female toplessness is shown (Lauda's girlfriend is also shown topless.) Hunt is also shown drinking to excess, smoking cigarettes, and briefly smoking pot. Finally, it's no secret that racing is all about merchandizing, and many brand names are shown throughout, including Coca-Cola and Marlboro cigarettes.

Sexual Content

The main character, James Hunt, has sex with many, many women over the course of the movie. Some sex scenes are shown, and others are implied. He's shown kissing women and in bed with them. Some female toplessness is shown. Niki stays with one woman throughout, and she's also shown topless.

Violence

The most intense sequence takes place when Niki Lauda suffers a fiery crash and burns in his car for almost a minute. In the hospital, he's shown burned and scarred and later with fresh skin grafts on his face. There's also a horrible procedure in which a tube is shoved down his throat to suck black gunk out of his lungs. Several other crash sequences are shown, with blood and broken bones.

Language

Language is very strong, including fairly frequent uses of "f--k," "s--t," "c--t," "bulls--t," "balls," "prick," "a--hole," "ass," "hell," "crap," "Christ" (as an exclamation), and "turd." A middle finger gesture is used.

Social Behavior

Two race-car drivers discover that rivalry increases their drive for competition -- not necessarily the healthiest lesson, as it leads to destructive behavior. On the surface, this is also a movie about fame and success and how, if they're allowed to run rampant, they can destroy relationships. Success is shown as a big trophy, some champagne, and lots of parties, as well as the realization that it's fleeting.

Consumerism

Racing is all about sponsors, and many corporate logos are (realistically) on display throughout, including Marlboro cigarettes, Goodyear tires, Coca-Cola, Levis, Shell, and STP. One character drives for Ferrari. There's an early speech about trying not to use sponsors, but eventually this idea goes by the wayside.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The main character is always sober before a race, but afterward, he drinks a great deal (champagne, various kinds of hard liquor), sometimes to drunkenness. He also smokes cigarettes frequently, and he and other characters smoke pot. One character smokes a cigar.