Main Cast: Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Elliott, Max Perlich, Gregg Allman
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
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, All Movie Guide
Review
Lili Fini Zanuck's only directorial effort thus far, adapted from a novel based on the experiences of former narcotics detective Kim Wozencraft, is a superbly corrosive portrait of the life of an undercover narc Jennifer Jason-Leigh. After naïve rookie-cop Leigh joins veteran narc Jason Patric, she adopts his practice of shooting whatever substance is necessary as a technique for nailing drug dealers. The liminal area occupied by those who do undercover work has always fascinated writers and filmmakers, for the profound, sometimes destructive transformations of identity that it can trigger. While the cautionary aspects of the film's drug tale are familiar, it's on the mark in its insights into the way in which the arrogance bred by expertise can lead to dangerously risky behavior in any walk of life. That's certainly the case for Patric, as he sinks into a full-blown addiction, dragging his partner-turned-lover down with him. As imperfect as these cops may be, the film also implies the corruption of the Texas legal system that is their matrix. Patric and Leigh both give powerhouse performances, with stinging depictions of the scabrous life of addiction. Also good are Special K. McCray, as a suave drug dealer, and Max Perlich as a police snitch. Eric Clapton's blues-laden score is perfectly suited to the terrain of Texas bars and roadhouses. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
Dennis Burkley - Motorcycle Guy; Niles Caldwell - Scooter Trash; Merrill Connally - Defense Attorney; Connie Cooper - Judge; Blue Deckert - Medical Examiner; Willie Ellison - Police Instructor; Tony Frank - Chief Donald Nettle; Dell Gibson - Reporter; John Ray Harrison - Mayor; Ron Kern - Domino Player; Jerry King - Man in Hearse; Michael Kirkland - Grand Jury District Attorney; Barbara Lasater - Yellow Rose Bartender; Dennis Letts - Senior District Attorney; Special K. McCray - Willie Red; Joe Odiorne - Scooter Trash; Jimmy Pickens - Man in Disco; Toni Pilgreen - Driller's Waitress; Bill Sadler - Nettle; Suzanne Savoy - Dodd's Wife; Brandon Smith - Cop; Ken Stadler - Police Lieutenant; Glenn Wilson - Motorcycle Guy; Tom Rosales - Wino; Shari Rhodes; Jim Phillips - Club Band - "Terrell"; Gene Nash - Scooter Trash; Cynthia Scott - Yellow Rose Waitress
Credit
Colleen Atwood - Costume Designer, Katterli A. Frauenfelder - First Assistant Director, Lili Fini Zanuck - Director, Mark Warner - Editor, Eric Clapton - Composer (Music Score), Timothy R. Sexton - Musical Direction/Supervision, Paul Sylbert - Production Designer, Kenneth MacMillan - Cinematographer, Gary Daigler - Production Manager, Gary Daigler - Producer, Richard D. Zanuck - Producer, Phillip Leonard - Set Designer, Bruno Van Zeebroeck - Special Effects, Hank Garfield - Sound/Sound Designer, Peter Dexter - Screenwriter, Kim Wozencraft - Book Author
Rush is a 1991 crime drama film, based on a novel written by Kim Wozencraft. An experienced narcotics detective and his inexperienced partner go after an elusive drug dealer. They become drug addicts themselves and, failing to get the evidence they need, are forced to use falsified evidence.
Seasoned undercover narcotics police officer Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) must choose a new partner for his next assignment. He chooses the "wet-behind-the-ears" Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Together they are looking to bring down the so-far untouchable Gaines (Gregg Allman).
As they get deeper and deeper undercover, they become addicted to the same methamphetamines they're trying to keep off the street. They also fall in love, further complicating their assignment. Lacking real evidence, they are forced to create false evidence in order to get a conviction. Raynor is murdered by an unseen hitman, and at Gaines' trial, just as Kristen is asked deliver a key piece of testimony, Gaines reveals that he was either the unseen hitman or is in direct contact with him by tracing his own face with two fingers the exact way the two barrels of the killer's shotgun traced hers. She immediately recants her grand jury testimony freeing Gaines. Gaines is later murdered by an unseen assassin.
Rush is based on the infamous Tyler, Texas drug scandal of the late 1970's, when two police undercover officers (Wozencraft and her partner, later her husband) were brought in from the Plano Police Department and were assigned to break up a huge smuggling ring that was suspected to be run by a Tyler club owner by the name of Bora. Most of what happens in the movie happened in real life, from the addiction getting out of control to the use of planted evidence. However, the movie never explored the role of U.S. Assistant Attorney Kelly Ireland and how he found out about the problem from a casual conversation with a Texas Ranger at a meeting in Fort Worth, and how he pursued it at great cost to his own career and life. But, even though that is left out, the movie reflects what really happened - the Tyler PD being torn in two between the officers who thought what they did was necessary and those who thought what they did was inexcusable, and the same divisions within the community. Kim Wozencraft ran into Kelly Ireland on an airplane many years later and asked forgiveness, which he readily gave, and a recommendation, which he would never give after what she did. They were both sentenced to prison, being released in 1983, and then placed in witness protection. Bora, the club owner, was finally released from prison on his sentence from the tainted charges brought by the two detectives, and did not get killed, as the club owner in the movie does.
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