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Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Elliott, Max Perlich, Gregg Allman ... see more see more... , Dennis Burkley , Niles Caldwell , Merrill Connally , Connie Cooper , Blue Deckert , Willie Ellison , Tony Frank , Dell Gibson , John Ray Harrison , Ron Kern , Jerry King , Michael Kirkland , Barbara Lasater , Dennis Letts , Special K. McCray , Joe Odiorne , Jimmy Ray Pickens , Toni Pilgreen , Bill Sadler , Suzanne Savoy , Brandon Smith (I) , Ken Stadler , Glenn Wilson , Tom Rosales , Shari Rhodes , Jim Phillips , Gene Nash , Cynthia Scott , William Sadler

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 F... read more read more...ini 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

Flixster Users

69% liked it

7,879 ratings

Critics

70% liked it

27 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Lili Fini Zanuck

Release Date: January 1, 1999

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DVD Release Date: December 3, 2002

Stats: 319 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (319)

  • yona71
    November 20, 2009
    yona71
    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 pushe... read morer 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.
  • gator681
    October 20, 2005
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"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. Needles... read mores to say, they get in over their heads as the line is crossed...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"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.[/font]
  • fb704730572
    April 15, 2012
    fb704730572
    A truly excellent, authentic, engrossing, and relentlessly dark depiction of drugs and the criminal justice system. There are no true "good guys" to be found, and the bad guys are found on both sides, moral ambiguity is rampant. The film does a fantastic job of showing how fine t... read morehe line often is, and how, in the name of moral relativity, it's often crossed. The film captures a fantastic tone throughout, and is powerfully acted by both Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh, who have a gripping chemistry together. The script is intelligent, being based on a semi-autobiographical novel, and offers poignant insight. One of the best "in too deep" films out there.

    4.5/5 Stars
  • Fascade518
    June 12, 2011
    Fascade518
    Critically insane story of an Texas undercover narcotics police sergeant Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) that recruits a fresh young police rookie Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to infiltrate and take down a suspected drug dealing crime boss (Gregg Allman). Between getting strun... read moreg out and collecting evidence against the crime boss...the pressure escalates on the pair to manufacture fictitious evidence to get this crime boss off the streets. As the pressure increases the assistance of their superior (Sam Elliot) and his higher ups...becomes more evident that manufacturing police evidence against a suspect, is against police protocol...the heat gets turned up on whether the crime boss will go behind bars but what will be the cost of the risky effort? This fairly slow moving drama will rock you to the edge of your seat and suspense you with with a rolling sound track...see it!
  • xxdebxx
    November 26, 2010
    xxdebxx
    RUSH is a film about two undercover narcotics investigators (Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh) who cross the line and becomes enmeshed in the dangerous but intoxicating underbelly of the drug world while trying to bring a drug dealer to justice. As their relationship intensi... read morefies and their drug use turns to abuse, the fine line between the good guys and the bad guys becomes as blurry as their drug-induced vision.
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    The action here doesn't involve guns or chases but rather a subtle ride through the desperation and paranoia of drug addiction; It was gritty and realistic and Patric and Leigh make for a very intense duo with Patric delivering a compelling performance as a dark, hardened cop who has obviously stayed undercover far too long.
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    Gregg Allman did an amazing job, too, as the elusive Gaines who doesn't really say a lot yet gives a very convincing portrayal of a menacing local crime kingpin and the little twist at the end was a nice way to finish.
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  • StefanoEarnest
    April 14, 2012
    StefanoEarnest
    What "Rush" ultimately suffers from is a weak script with thinly drawn characters and a poor ending. Both Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Patric are good, but only as good as the script allows for them to be. Other than this flaw, the film is mostly entertaining and enjoyable, and... read more there are many cleverly choreographed sequences. Plus, the cinematography holds up quite nicely.
  • ileo
    May 31, 2007
    ileo
    A great movie!
  • blackcrowesfanmn
    July 1, 2008
    blackcrowesfanmn
    A very gritty and realistic look at the bad side of drugs.....AND Gregg Allman plays the wicked dealer to a tee! Very strong performances by both Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
  • JaredsBaby
    June 15, 2008
    JaredsBaby
    I really felt for the characters in this movie about under cover cops getting hooked on the same drugs they are trying to get off the streets
  • XxFashionGuruxX
    April 15, 2008
    XxFashionGuruxX
    Rush was made from a book so you automatically know it's gonna be good. It's catchy, true & the ending is fantastic.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
April 9, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

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. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
April 9, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Leigh is effective as always, but has little to chew on; Patric has even less. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Patric and Ms. Leigh are able to make Jim and Kristen as grimly memorable as the drug culture that threatens to engulf them both. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Despite the false notes and grinding bleakness, the film's insider savvy makes for pungent drama.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie depends on two strong performances for its effects, and gets them from Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It peaks way before the movie's over. You're caught in a slow but steady decline, an unwanted comedown. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

It's a tough movie, scathingly violent, intense and emotionally raw; like a swaggering bar brawler, it never backs down an inch. Full Review

April 9, 2008
Film4

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. Full Review

Angie Errigo
April 9, 2008
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine

To be really powerful or tragic they need to be a lot less hackneyed and directed with more inspiration than this merely adequate effort. Full Review

April 9, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A melodramatic, if gritty, Hollywood muddle. Full Review

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