Based on a gritty, semi-autobiographical novel by author Kim Wozencraft, this crime thriller was adapted for the screen by noir novelist Pete Dexter and marked the directorial debut of producer Lili Fini Zanuck. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Kristen Cates, a rookie police officer recruited to partner with Jim Raynor (Jason Patric), an undercover Texas cop trying to infiltrate the criminal ring of major drug dealer Will Gaines (Gregg Allman) in the 1970s. What Kristen isn't told is that, as part
of his deep cover masquerade, Jim must take drugs in order to be convincing and, unsurprisingly, has become an addict. Although this dangerous practice is not acceptable police procedure, Jim and Kristen's zealous superiors Larry Dodd (Sam Elliott) and Donald Nettle (Tony Frank) are obsessed with taking Gaines down because he has corrupted the daughter of a prominent local citizen. Jim and Kristen, who fall in love and move in together, befriend a petty car thief, Walker (Max Perlich), who has ties to Gaines. Since they both become drug addicts, Jim and Kristen's case makes little progress, until they clean up and convince Walker to turn on Gaines. Their investigation becomes tainted, however, when they are pressured from above to manufacture false evidence against their target. The soundtrack for Rushcontained the hit song "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
Head-swiveling directorial debut of Lili Fini Zanuck lays out a tough masculine scenario [based on Kim Wozencraft's book] in a way that is always emotionally riveting.
Neither glamorising nor moralising, Rush deserves plaudits for its gritty, no-holds-barred take on drugs. The intelligent performances are the icing on the cake.
I liked this film when it came out in '91, and it holds up.
Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh star in this tale of two undercover cops(narcotics agents) who get caught up in the lifestyle as they are in pursuit of a shady bar owner who may very well be the biggest drug pusher in the area, as well as other dealers
with the help of a friend and user.
The performances by Patric and Leigh are brilliant in this dim film based on true events of two narcotics agents in 1974 rural Texas who literally take their work home with them which is clearly nothing but trouble in many ways. Eric Clapton's bluesy score adds to the time and tone of the film as well.
"Rush" takes place in 1975. Vice cop, Jim Raynor(Jason Patric), recruits rookie policewoman, Kristen Cates(Jennifer Jason Leigh, great as always), to go undercover with him to buy drugs to be used in evidence against drug dealers in Katterly, Texas. Needless to say, they get in over their heads as the line is
crossed... "Rush" is a quietly suspenseful and completely believable film that casts a very skeptical eye on the war on drugs. Max Perlich nearly steals the movie playing a minor drug dealer with a penchant for grand theft auto. And Gregg Allman has a very commanding presence.
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