August Rush (2007)
March 13th, 2008
You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe; harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars. —Wizard
. . . .
Shooshing Away The Critics
The problem with some critics, is that they forget what movies are all about… escapism, fantasy, magic, hope… sometimes we seek realism in movies when the fact of the matter is, the cinematic experience is pure story-telling on celluloid.
There is nothing wrong with fantasy. There is nothing wrong with happy endings. If you want realism and reality, watch the evening news. So…
A Modern Day Fairy Tale
The concept is simple yet fascinating. A young boy growing up in an orphanage believes that the way to find his long lost parents is through music. He somehow feels it all around him, even though he’s never played a musical instrument before nor had any formal music education. But he feels certain in his heart that he and his parents can be reunited once again through the language of music.
The music. I thought if I could play it, they would know I was alive. And find me.
—August Rush
A Boy’s Journey Through Musical Discovery and Hope
And so begins the tale of a boy’s journey through musical discovery and hope, in a quest to find the two most important people in his life.
I think in order to appreciate this movie, you have to understand that the story is a modern day fairy tale. And as long as one views it through the eyes of the child, the main character (performed wonderfully by the gifted, young Freddie Highmore), then this journey will truly be a magical one.
Without giving too much of the plot away: two musicians, concert cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and Irish singer-songwriter Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet romantically on a rooftop in New York City one evening. The two quickly fall in love under the light of the full moon, while a street musician plays Van Morrison’s “Moon Dance” in the distance.
In the morning, they agree to meet at Washington Square, but a tragic turn of events prevent the meeting from ever happening. Yet, as a result of their chance encounter a child was conceived.
Photo courtesy of wbmoviesgirl
The Cast of August Rush
I thought the principal actors, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and the young Freddie Highmore gave excellent performances. Especially Freddie Highmore, an acting prodigy who convincingly portrays a young musical prodigy, learned to play guitar, conduct a symphony orchestra, and replaced his British accent for an American one.
Terrence Howard is perfect as the counseler and Robin Williams does a superb job as the street urchin Wizard.
A Five Hanky Performance
This is a feel good movie that people simply need every-once-in-a-while, in a cinematic world that sometimes is too harsh and wanting to be too realistic for its own good. The things that the cinematic experience provides is escapism, fantasy, pure storytelling… inspiration, hope and magic…
August Rush provides all that, and if you allow yourself to be drawn in to the magic, then I think it’ll become a wonderful ride. And, I think the ending is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. I highly recommend this movie to the young at heart!
Just be prepared to have the kleenex handy. You just may need it.
