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August Rush
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August Rush consists of two stories–a fairytale and a version of Oliver Twist– that meet at the end.
This sentimental story begins with the title character, played by Freddie Highmore, introducing the fairytale that leads to his conception. His mother, a cellist played by Keri Russell, meets an Irish rocker played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. That they fall hopelessly in love in one night is the fairytale premise. Unfortunately, the film shows little that explains why their one night of devotion would lead to 12 years of mutual dedication that persists even though, in this modern world, they cannot find each other. It takes the Irish rocker 11 years to pick up the phone. Fortunately, we don’t see the consummation of their relationship; the PG stands for adult circumstances relating to August Rush finding his parents.
This one fairytale evening conceives August Rush, born with their joint talents for music and the determination to find them. After 11 years in an orphanage, he tires of waiting and begins searching for them, confident that music will lead the way; he finds Robin Williams instead. His journey becomes a re-telling of Oliver Twist.
Music is the magic that will reunite this family, a magic that would be more comforting if it were more melodic and less emphatic. The movie spends too much time showing us how the world makes music only August can hear, while neglecting more intriguing minor characters (Terence Howard’s social worker, Reverend James, and Hope the orphan come to mind). I left the film frustrated. The people I wanted to know were underdeveloped, the people I didn’t want to know (Robin William’s grates in the Fagin role) had too much time, and the music August hears sounds more cacophonous than melodic.
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Topic: Movies & TV, Reviews |  |
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Keywords: freddie_highmore, jonathan_rhys_meyers, keri_russell, oliver_twist, robin_william, terence_howard |  |
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One more diversion
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Robin Williams “acting” job that wasn’t grating.
Must agree with you on this one!
Great.
Actually, I enjoyed August Rush a lot. Despite the over-the-top sentimentality, I believe the story and the movie works if you’re able to get past the initial barrier and accept it on its own terms.
*CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
I completely disagree with the comment on the music. The music drew me in compeletely. As far as I was concerned, the music drives the story. From the opening scene’s wind-drones to the orchestral/rock mashup sequences featuring August’s parents to Evan’s first experiments with a guitar to the beautiful ending, the music was the real-world magic that keeps you firmly planted in the fairytale world where this story could actually be true. At times is is cacophonous, because our real world is. But Evan’s redemptive ability is to find and hear the beauty in anything, no matter how common, chaotic, or ugly it seems.
Like the reviewer, I could have used a bit less of Wizard, but I see how his part was needed in the story: he is both a true mentor to Evan and the easy counterfeit to Evan’s unquenchable desire for love and family. He is a real yet flawed character, both genuinely hearing God’s hand in the beauty of the music around them, and yet, in his heart following the counterfeit values of quick fame and wealth through exploitation instead of following the music.
I’m not certain, but I perceived strong hints at spiritual themes and parallels of “following the music” to living by faith in following the whisper of God’s Spirit. This thought will obviously not be shared by everyone that sees the movie, but it seemed to me to be confirmed and not lessened as the story progressed. This fairy tale may not only be set in the real world; I believe it hints at real Truth as well.
*END SPOILERS*
Certainly, I also would have liked to have many of the characters fleshed out more: the parents, the grandparents, and the other characters already mentioned. I’d also like to know Wizard’s story and how he got to where he was by the time Even came around. But although I would have liked it, this story was ultimately not their story. It is Evan’s story, a story of longing and innocent wonder, and it is told as such. And to me, that was enough.
Certainly this isn’t a movie for everyone, but I loved it.
I have to agree with Zanzibar. I enjoyed this movie more than any I’ve seen in a long time.