Well-directed 'Rush' has you rooting for everyone.

• Author: Smith, Liz
• Position: News

Byline: Liz Smith

Excuse me, please. But could you keep it down?''

"Oh, sure.''

Ten minutes later: "I'm so sorry, but honestly, your chatter is distracting me.''

"Gee, I didn't realize.''

This civilized exchange was conducted during the opening 20 minutes of the new Ron Howard movie "Rush,'' which was screened in Manhattan on Thursday, hosted by The Cinema Society and Ferrari.

Alas, a certain beautiful blonde just couldn't stop talking -- to her seatmate -- and on her cellphone. She was finally silenced by no nonsense Elle/Cosmo writer Sergio Kletnoy. I can't repeat what he said, but suffice to say it had the desired effect. (The blonde is Swedish model and actress Victoria Silvstedt. She really is a terribly nice girl. But she needs to channel her love to talk in some other way. Maybe "The View'' needs a hot blonde?)

Believe me, "Rush'' is not a movie you want to talk through. In fact, it is hard to catch one's breath as it progresses. It is the true-ish tale of Formula One racing champs James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (an astonishing Daniel Bruhl.) It's about their nearly deadly rivalry. I'm not much of a racing fan, but director Howard beautifully captures the mise en scene of the mid-1970s, when racing and its stars were peaking. It is impossible not to get caught up in...