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August Rush
August Rush

2007 film starring Freddie Highmore and Keri Russell directed by Kirsten Sheridan

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August Rush

  • Nov 24, 2008
  • by
Rating:
+3
Pros: ...

Cons: ...

The Bottom Line:

“But God bless the child thats got his own
Thats got his own”

~Chris Botti and Paula Cole



This is a strange mixture of Romeo & Juliet along with Oliver as we bring together Lyla, uber-rich and talented cellist, and Louis, equally talented street-smart, bass player.  Lyla plays in the ultra chic venue and Louis plays in smoke filled bars.  Fate brought them together one starry night and power separated them.  That power was Lyla's parents but, at the time, none of them were aware the results of that starry night meeting were developing in Lyla's tummy. 

Her father, not to be overruled, gives the baby up for adoption after Lyla falls ill and she is never aware her son, Evan, was born.  She and Louis never crossed paths again and both went on with their respective lives unaware they had a child born into music.

Neither Lyla nor Louis continued their music, turning instead to other venues.  Evan, however, believes his parents are out there somewhere, looking for him as well, and he makes it his goal to find them.  His incredible musical talent brings him across many different paths in his short 11 years, but he has one goal in mind.  Finally, after avoiding the clutches of a scoundrel set on making much from Evan's talent, he finds refuge in a church.  After being discovered by elders, he is sent to Julliard to continue his musical studies but his talent is well beyond what anyone can comprehend. 

At the same time, both Lyla and Louis have returned to their musical careers and the nights are starry once again.  Who knows what musical interludes will come this time around?

August Rush was directed by Kirsten Sheridan.  It was nominated for 12 awards, winning three.  It carries a PG rating for thematic elements, violence & language.   It has a run time of 114 minutes, a good deal of which are filled with wonderful music.  I won't go so far to say it was an original piece, but the story and the music made up for the predictability of the movie.

Key characters in the film included a beautiful performance by Freddie Highmore as Evan ‘August Rush' Taylor.  Not only was he an adorable child but he gave a great performance.  Other parts were played by Keri Russell, looking completely entrancing as Lyla Novacek, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the tasty Louis Connelly.  Robin Williams stepped away from his comedic life to take on the role of the scoundrel, Maxwell Wizard Wallace.  I am so accustomed to his humor it always takes me a while to adapt to him in a more serious role.

So, yes, an entirely enjoyable film that isn't exactly for everyone.  Sweet and inspirational, full of rich music and love on a starry night.

Thanks,
Susi


This movie is my submission to the Good Movies Write-Off 2, hosted by captaind as well as my submission into the Lean-n-Mean VII hosted by sleeper54

Recommended:
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More August Rush reviews
review by . April 03, 2009
posted in Movie Hype
Pros: enchanting, uplifting, and engaging tale     Cons: not realistic enough for some viewers     The Bottom Line: An instant favorite for me, and one I'll be sharing with others for years to come.     Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot. You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, …
review by . April 03, 2009
You know, I'm all for a sappy happy bubbly ending. Really. I'm a happy kinda girl and I like things that end on a positive note. Positive... but at least somewhat plausible.    I'm going to totally beyond all reason spoil the ending here- so don't read if you haven't seen.     A boy who can "hear" his parents in the "music" of nature? Ok fine, I'll believe it. A boy who has incredible musical talent without any training whatsoever? Alright. A couple who chat …
review by . December 19, 2008
"Listen. Can you hear it? The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind... in the air... in the light. It's all around us."   Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):   1.   Boy musician (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meets girl musician (Keri Russell) and they make beautiful music up on the roof before going their separate ways 2.   Little orphan boy (Freddie Highmore) hears music in the wind and feels a connection to the parents he never knew 3.   Desperately seeking …
review by . July 06, 2008
posted in Movie Hype
'August Rush' is, as best, hard to describe. It's not a musical, but it's a movie about music, where music forms the emotional backbone of the story. It's not a fantasy, but the story it tells has elements that can only be described as fantastic. It's not a 'family film' is the traditional sense, though it is a movie the the whole family can watch, enjoy, and appreciate on many levels.    'August Rush' tells the story of a young boy, conceived on a magical night between a pair …
review by . October 21, 2008
posted in Movie Hype
Pros: Concept in general, tone, pacing, acting      Cons: While some of the music is good, it is mostly incomplete    The Bottom Line: Prodigy stories are common, the emotion and motive behind this one is different and worth a look so long as you know it will be sappy.      Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie''s plot. It is rare for this reviewer to watch a film I know will probably drown me in sap, but mood …
review by . March 19, 2008
posted in Movie Hype
AUGUST RUSH will not go down in history as a profound film: many will even go so far as to dismiss it as kitsch, maudlin, and a simpleton take off on 'Oliver Twist', and other pejoratives. For this viewer the little film is tender and frequently requires suspension of belief, but in the end the idea of the story does indeed bring a tear to the eye.    Based on a story by Paul Castro and Nick Castle and transformed for the screen by Castle and James V. Hart, the premise is that …
review by . April 01, 2008
Whether or not the implausible plot of director Kirsten Sheridan's 2007 "August Rush" makes much sense or not, the film moves with its own frenetic momentum; the urgent momentum of the music heard inside the head of its main character Evan Taylor a.k.a. August Rush (played by the serious Freddie Highmore of "Finding Neverland"), musical genius extraordinaire of the caliber of a latter-day Amadeus Mozart.     Ordinary sounds like that of the grass blowing in the breeze and the …
review by . March 12, 2008
This is more than a feel good movie. It is a beautiful story about a boy searching for his parents. He goes about his quest listening to the music all around him. Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers are great. Russell's performance is truly excellent. She is cellist who becomes pregnant after one night with a bad singer. Throughout the movie, she searches for her son. Freddie Highmore is a fantastic actor. His face never lost that innocence and hopefulness that made the movie fantastic. The story …
see all August Rush reviews (9)
About the reviewer
Susi Dawson ()
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About this movie

Wiki

AUGUST RUSH is part romance, part gentle fantasy, but this sweet drama is all heart. When young cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and rock musician Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet at a party in the mid 1990s, it's love at first sight, and they spend the night in each other's arms. But Lyla's father forces them apart, even though she later learns she's pregnant. Later, an accident lands Lyla in the hospital, and though her father tells her that her baby died, the child survives and is given up for adoption. AUGUST RUSH jumps to the present and begins to follow Evan (Freddie Highmore), an 11 year old who has grown up in a boys' home. As Evan embarks on a crusade to find his parents, he imagines he can communicate with them through his gift for music. His journey to New York City brings him into contact with Wizard (Robin Williams), a man eager to capitalize on the child prodigy's talent. Wizard gives Evan the name August Rush as he begins performing all over the city, but the boy's ultimate goal is to find the...
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Tags

Movies, Drama Movies, Dramas, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell
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Details

Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Genre: Drama
Release Date: November 21, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
Screen Writer: Nick Castle, Jr., Jim V. Hart
DVD Release Date: January 19, 2010
Runtime: 1hr 53min
Studio: Warner Home Video
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"Beautiful film"
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