August Rush (2007) – A Mystical, Musical Tale

August Rush (2007) – A Mystical, Musical Tale

For quite some days I was trying to write about a film but somehow could not find myself hooked into anything. Finally, I picked up August Rush but then preferred to watch it again on DVD before putting my thoughts on the film. August Rush is a drama film (not much romance though) with enough sugar content to even make a few cries.

The film tells the story of an 11-year-old boy Evan (Freddie Highmore) who lives in an orphanage as he doesn’t know anything about his parents since his childhood. He, however, thinks that his parents are alive and hence tries to connect with them with his innersole through music.

Interestingly, Evan has a very eccentric ability to hear music wherever he is. He is, however, pretty much convinced that one day his parents will find him. Then comes the story in flashbacks when a young guitarist Irish singer-guitarist Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meets a very talented cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and they happen to spend one night together.

As both are musically inclined, the moment they both try to think of their togetherness, Lyla’s overprotective father (William Sadler) whisked her away from Louis and they never met again. Nine months later when a pregnant Lyla wakes up in a hospital bed after an accident, she was told by his father that the baby she and Louis conceived has died.

Yes, Evan is the child of Lyla and Louis, whom Lyla’s father sends to an orphanage. Evan who is a child prodigy who hears music everywhere in the harmonies of nature finally runs away from the orphanage to search for his parents.

What happens thereafter is all musical and spiritual in a sense. The best thing about August Rush is that while watching I almost forgot its subplots and was only interested in exceptional music. Although it was highly predictable, as a result, most of the film critics were very much critical of this, it has so far garnered positive reviews from the general public.

All in all, August Rush is a mystically romantic movie. There is a romance between two young hearts and moreover, there is romance in music. I guess one thing that actually holds your interest in the movie is the fascinating performance by Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. And so does the sincere effort by young Freddie Highmore.

Then after watching it, if there would be one thing I dislike is its ending. Honestly, I was thinking of something else – probably a little more melodramatic or more emotionally drained but not just a schmaltzy reunion. This even makes me say that the director at least had to put something when the narrative seems flat without music.

Film: August Rush
Directed by: Kirsten Sheridan
Starring: Freddie Highmore (August Rush), Keri Russell (Lyla Novacek), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Louis Connelly), Terrence Howard (Richard Jeffries), Robin Williams (Wizard), and William Sadler (Thomas Novacek).
Story by Paul Castro and Nick Castle
Release Date or Year: November 21, 2007

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. All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do… is listen.

Evan

Watch August Rush – Movie Trailer

Where to watch August Rush (2007)
This post is written, edited and published by the Cinecelluloid staff.

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