August Rush (2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

I have to say that the first time I saw the poster and read the synopsis of this movie, I wasn’t instantly attracted to it. But after I heard some really good reviews from some people who have a similar taste in movie as I have and heard the soundtrack of this movie, I then "rushed" (HA! Puns!) to see this movie, and it just blew me away. I watched it with high expectations and was not let down.

"August Rush" is a kinda feel good, modern day fairy tale involving a parent-child separation and a boy's unrelenting search to be reunited with his parents. This movie is a fairytale set in real life circumstances. Although it was never advertised as an Oliver Twist take, but I loved all of the allusions to it –let’s face it, u can easily pick out the Dickens characters Fagin and the Artful--. It was a very creative take on the classic story. The poor orphan boy who wants nothing more than to be loved. Admittedly, the plot is somewhat predictable and possibly a little "sappy", but those elements are easily overcome by the moment-to-moment execution of the story and the primary theme of the movie: “music being the tie that binds all of us together” –-as nicely said by Robin Williams—

The scenes have an appealing fantasy element, while at the same time the plot manages to explore true-to-life human situations such as bullying of those who are different. There's not much dialogue in this movie. So the majority of the story is told through the music and the emotional expressions of the actors esp with the sparks in the eyes of the three main performers, it made me truly understand and believe that some people are just able to capture the joy in the musical arts, and it is the beauty of this film that somehow we are able to partake of that very amazing feeling. The music is incredible, and mostly consists of original scores. It includes gospel, rock and classical, seamlessly integrated in a new way that works extremely well. The cinematography is beautiful. The opening scene in the wheat field is just breathtaking

*SPOILER ALERT*

The story was very inspiring and the boy's unyielding faith and will to never give up on his dream to find his family really hit me. When I saw the ending of this movie, I have to say that I would like to see a sappy reunion scene, but then after I visualized it in my head, I realize that it would've ruined the tone of the movie. The ending was just beautiful as it ended with the crescendo of the music and the camera zooming in on August as he sees his parents standing there for the first time.

*SPOILER END*

The acting was superb. Freddie Highmore/August Rush is excellent in this movie as are the entire cast. His sensitivity and quiet togetherness was very moving. Robin Williams --who admittedly looked like an authentic rockstar-- did a great job and left me in suspense during most of the movie as to whether he's actually a good guy or protagonist. In fact I'm still wondering about that one. Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks gorgeous :) and his voice was heartfelt. The expressions of his eyes truly speak a thousand words. Kerri Russel is beautiful. She did her magic and was very moving as well. While Leon G. Thomas III and Jamia Simone Nash have the delightful voices of angels.

All in all August Rush is a heart wrenching --in a good way--, inspiring, love story, that will light a spark in most hearts. Go watch it!