# Rush (1991)

### reviewed by
Brian L. Johnson

                                       RUSH
                           A film review by Ken Johnson
                            Copyright 1992 Ken Johnson

117 min., R, Drama, 1992 Director: Lili Fini Zanuck Cast: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Sam Elliott, Max Perlich, Gregg Allman, Tomy Frank, William Sadler, Special K. McCray

Undercover narcotics cop Jason Patric has to take on a partner. He picks new cadet Jennifer Jason Leigh. They are put out on the streets to catch drug dealer Gregg Allman. While investigating, they find themselves becoming addicted to drugs.

I was going to see RUSH in the theaters the weekend it opened, but it opened the same weekend as THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. I went to see that instead and was going to see RUSH the next weekend. The next weekend RUSH had already closed so now I have seen it on video and because of the lack of reviews on it when it came out, I decided to write one. RUSH is the best narcotics film that I have seen since DRUGSTORE COWBOY. On a scale of zero to five, I give the film a five. RUSH is rated R for explicit language, adult situations, and graphic violence.

The acting in the film is great. Jennifer Jason Leigh gives one of her best performances in her career. Jason Patric does a much better job than usual. His acting could have been improved a little, but he still did a great job. Max Perlich's character I liked least in the film, but it was not because of Perlich's acting, it was just the character. This film is not heavy on action at all, it is mostly drama (which is misleading from some of the advertisements for the film, so be forewarned).

The story is written extremely well. It kept my interest throughout and didn't fall into many Hollywood cliches (although there was a slight problem at the ending in this respect). The film shows the gritty downside to being a undercover narcotics officer, and because of how well it does this, it makes the film excellent viewing. I think the thing that drowned this film at the box office was that it is not a traditional Hollywood film, so it wasn't able to find the audience that it needed. It also most likely got left in the dust with films like THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE and BASIC INSTINCT out. Now that it is on video I think that it will find the audience that it deserves.

If you have not yet seen this film, I strongly urge you to rent it. It is definitely worth what ever price you pay and will provide you with almost two hours of pure enjoyment (but be prepared to be sad in some parts).

    --------
    Ken Johnson
    blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu

    .

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