August Rush Review

With the majority of films coming out of Hollywood being dominated by sex and violence, it's refreshing to find a family friendly film like August Rush, a charming little film that is nothing more than what it pretends to be; a modern fairy tale, with an appropriately happy ending.

Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is not your average, ordinary orphan. He is a sensitive young boy, who hears music all around him, when others hear only noise. Music is his one solace in an otherwise cold and lonely world. The story of Evan's parents is told in flashback, when his mother, a concert cellist, Lyla Novacek, (Keri Russell) meets his father, Louis Connelly, (Jonathan Rhys Meyers)  a singer in an Irish rock band, and fall deeply in love, one magical night. The next day, fearing that Louis will ruin her career, Lyla's father wisps her away, much to her dismay. In a fit of anger, Lyla runs out of  arestaurant after a fight with her father, into on-rushing traffic, and is seriously injured. Unaware that she was pregnant, Lyla's father neglects to tell her that her baby's life was saved, and sent to an orphanage.

Nine years later, Evan, feeling that music will lead him to his parents, escapes from the orphanage and finds himself in New York City, where he is taken in by a shelter for homeless children, led by a sleezy man called The Wizard (Robin Williams), who exploits children form monetary gain. There, Evan discovers musical talent, as street performer under the name of August Rush, develops as a child prodigy, is given a chance to study at Julliard, and conduct his own symphony in Central Park.

Granted, this film will require that the viewer temporarily suspend their belief system, and accept the idea that miracles really can happen. It also borrows a bit from literature in that Evan's character is quite similar in some ways to Charles Dickens',  David Copperfield. Despite, these drawbacks, there is a lot to like about this film. Freddie Highmore delivers an extraordinary performance as Evan/August. Robin Williams is also quite convincing as his shady landlord. Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers are also quite good as star crossed lovers. However, the highlight of the film is the performance of guitarist Kaki King, whose hands are superimposed over Freddie Highmore's on the guitar scenes.

Every once in a while a film comes along that captures the imagination of the audience, and makes them believe in the impossible; August Rush is such a film. This is a film for music lovers, and anyone has ever dared to dream the impossible dream. Even the most cynical viewer will be touched by the storybook ending.