August Rush
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Movie Reviews of August Rush
Movie Review: Uniquely Composed
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever stopped and listened to the sounds all around you? Did you hear the crickets, the wind chimes, the sounds of the wind? They create music, a symphony when all is put together. It is so beautiful and majestic. Even taking in the scenery that paints pictures before you, can add to the wonders of the natural sounds. August Rush (2007) is the perfect movie to turn your attention to these everyday surroundings. Not only is it a movie of music and the power it holds, but it is also a movie of love, whether it be romantic love, friendly love, or the love of a family. August Rush has it. Its story line is unique, and is harmoniously constructed.
I give a great deal of credit to the writers, James V. Hart (screenplay), Nick Castle (screenplay and story), and Paul Castro (story). I applaud the producers, the crew behind the movie, and the director, Kirsten Sheridan. There were many camera angles used; most were close-ups, but some long shots were included. There was a scene at the beginning of the film where both of these types of shots were shown. Lyla Novacek, (Keri Russell), and Louis Connelly, (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), just met on the rooftop of a building, and the close-ups of their faces showed sparkles in their eyes, they both looked happy and free. In this same scene, a long shot showed a man walking, later to be revealed as Wizard, (Robin Williams), on the sidewalk beneath them playing a harmonica. The camera was zoomed out and in when necessary, and used in so many different angles. At one point the camera zoomed out rapidly from a close-up on Russell, when she thought she saw her son. The watcher could really get a feel for the characters throughout the movie.
It was great to see the way the music carried emotions, the lighting formed a scene or character, and the shots told the viewer what to think and feel about what was being shot. The different sets, especially the broken down theater, proved that the props and sets were well thought about. The costumes were mainly modern day, and the accents of the actors fit who they were described to be. For example, Louis was an Irish character, and that's just the accent he carried. Symbolism came with the moon and music, which was the connection between Evan Taylor, (Freddie Highmore), Lyla, and Louis. Wizard said a quote in the movie that revealed the role symbolism played in this particular film. He said, "Music is...God's little reminder there's something else besides us in this universe. Harmonic connection between all living beings everywhere, even the stars." The setting took place in numerous cities. They were, San Francisco, Chicago, and a few different cities in New York, all mentioned in the movie at least once.
The movie started out with capturing the viewer as, Evan Taylor/August Rush, spoke while only a black screen showed. He was an orphan who believed the music talked to him. He even ran away from the orphanage because "the music told him to." He was on the search of his parents, listening to the music to find his way. Along the way, he met a boy named Arthur X, (Leon G. Thomas III), who introduced Evan to Wizard. After discovering the musical prodigy that Evan was, and fearing that he would be taken away, Wizard gave Evan Taylor the name of August Rush. August continued his journey with the help of other characters throughout the film. As he searched for Lyla, his mother, she, soon after, began the search for him, and Louis, his father, began the search for her. The movie shows these three different lives and how they are intertwined. Richard Jeffries, (Terrance Howard), winds up playing a big part in the paths of these characters. August's life and search was the main focus though. His search revealed yet another symbol, a necklace, which symbolized that he was on the right track in his journey.
This original script will fill you with emotion, questions, and even wonder. Lie back, and let the music take you away in this hope filled, love story. Discover how a necklace showed that August was on the right track. Embrace new levels of imagination as music brings magic to the film and opens you up to ideas you never thought possible. Answer your own questions: Are Lyla, Louis, and August ever connected together? Does the music bring them to the end of their search on a high note? Follow the music and find out for yourself in August Rush.
Movie Review: Grains of Truth
Summary: 5 Stars
"August Rush" touched me. What a special sense it brings to the process of creativity, opening up and receiving inspiration! What a rush as it flows through your mind! Freddie Hightower who had a memorable part in The Golden Compass (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) and was named "Best Young Actor" twice by the Broadcast Critics Association for his roles in Finding Neverland (Widescreen Edition) & "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" nails his part as Evan Taylor/August Rush. His pure dedication toward following the music and how that always leads him to a better place is amazing. Yes, there are a lot of incidents that could be viewed as "unrealistic" such as Freddie suddenly being able to write in musical notation after a 1-minute lesson from a little girl. For me, I let these go as telescoping a time sequence. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays Louis who has a charged one-night-stand with Keri Russell's character Lyla which results in the orphan scenario. Rhys-Meyers won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a mini-series for "Elvis." Keri Russell was stunning in the independent film Waitress (Widescreen Edition). Since both Lyla & Louis are musicians, it follows that August's superb musical talent flowed from and connects him to his parents. Terrence Howard has a subtle role as the social worker Richard Jeffries who seems behind the curve in helping the boy. We get a sense of an overloaded social services system where people fall through the cracks. Howard is an incredible actor from his appearance in Angel Eyes to what National Board of Review called a "Breakthrough Performance" in Crash (Widescreen Edition) to his Oscar-nominated performance in "Hustle & Flow." He makes the small role shine. William Sadler from the "Roswell" TV show plays Lyla's dad Thomas Novacek. He is really the heavy in the film with forging Lyla's name on an important document. Robin Williams who earned his Oscar for "Good Will Hunting" has a difficult task as Wizard. On one hand, we see his inspiration in music. On the other, he's very greedy. We want him to be nicer. Marian Seldes has a nice cameo as the Dean of Julliard. I found the film enthralling. By the end as the parents are drawn through the crowd toward their son by the music, tears were rolling down my cheeks. "August Rush" is a sentimental and romantic film that has grains of truth that are also inspirational. This is a film I want to own. Bravo!Movie Review: A Beautiful Movie, Overcomes its Flaws
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all I want to make it clear that I absolutely loved this movie. The story is very beautiful and moving. But the key to enjoying this movie is to realize that it is a fairy tale and not a typical drama or thriller. Anyone familiar with musical theater or opera are used to suspending their normal skepticism to unlikely or even impossible plot situations and instead enjoying the heightened emotional reality that is portrayed. This movie is not about clever plot twists or dialogue. It is about the power of music and of love. Those ideas are more important than even the characters in this movie. For those of you who can not stomach the idea of that, then this movie is not for you. But for those of you who enjoyed "Across the Universe," "Big Fish," "Moulin Rouge," hey, even "Il Postino" then you will probably have the artistic maturity to enjoy this film.
Being a professional musician and music teacher gave me in an interesting perspective on this film. On the one hand, I can fully appreciate what the character Evan is implying with his line "The music is all around you, all you have to do is listen." Music is simply sound, repeating vibrations in the air that are caused by all things that move. Our music was at some point in the beginning derived from the sounds of nature, and I could tell that the composer tried to make the soundtrack sound initially more "natural" by using a lot of open octaves and fifths, the kind of harmony that is by far most prevalent in nature. I was also deeply touched by the idea that the music "of one's soul" could attract another person. The ancient Greeks believed in "the music of the planets" and the music of one's soul, in addition to our "audible" music. The philosophers Plato, Boethius, Aristotle and others came up with the "doctrine of ethos" which lies at the heart of this movie: that the harmonies of nature and the mind are inter-related with and affect the harmonies we create and enjoy in music. The fact that music alone can elicit emotions in us proves that at least some of this ancient philosophy is true.
On the other hand, listening in closer to the soundtrack leaves me a little disappointed. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is just barely good enough of a singer to get by as a professional musician--even for a rock singer--and his versions of "Moondance" and "Something Inside" start to sound like open mic at a karaoke night. And I was sad to listen later to "August's Rhapsody" and find it is full of cinematic music cliche's and uninspired harmonic movement. But I did not notice any of these things when I watched the movie (which is amazing for me) because of the effectiveness of the gestalt of the movie. With a little effort to curb a desire to nit-pick, I enjoyed this movie so much that I would say it is one of the best I have ever seen.
Movie Review: A Glorious Vision of the Realms to Which "Music Videos" Can Take Us!
Summary: 5 Stars
In the end, Faith is a yearning for Home that's stronger than Death itself. Many of the great spiritual sages have said this in some form, including Robert Frost, Frederick Buechner, Rob Bell and Jesus himself.
Of course, this all depends on how we conceive the idea of "Home" -- and "August Rush" takes the evolving "music video" genre into a transcendent, higher plane to explore one boy's profound yearning for a "Home" he never even knew, first hand. If you want something to be thankful for this year, buy this gloriously inventive movie that uses music as a metaphor for this abandoned boy's transcendent desire to reunite his shattered family.
Freddie Highmore plays August Rush, whose fantastical musical gifts turn the whole story into a fable about the deepest human desires for Home. The movie borrows liberally from "Oliver Twist," with Robin Williams playing a desperate and, eventually, an absolutely despicable Fagin-like character. Williams is a street-savvy con man who teaches abandoned children to become street musicians in the hope of someday striking it rich by managing a true musical star.
At first, this Fagin discovers and befriends August -- but, when the boy's musical talents blossom, he winds up nearly destroying the boy.
While that may make the movie sound like a rewarming of leftover storylines, the homage to Charles Dickens only adds to the fairy-tale quality of the film. In fact, it's the magical fusion of musical styles throughout the movie -- from rock and folk to classical to jazzy new renditions of natural and urban soundscapes -- that make this a theatrical experience you won't want to miss.
Note to Rob Bell fans! If you love Rob's Nooma film, "Rhythm" -- well, "August Rush" is like a feature-length meditation on Rob's "Rhythm" theme. It's not as theological as Rob's reflection -- but it's the same message loud and clear with similar creative elements in the storytelling.
"August Rush" opens with the abandoned boy who will become famous as a musical prodigy standing all alone in a lush green field of chest-high grasses, conducting the breezes that paint swirls in the moving sea of green and raise whooshing sounds into a symphony of natural noise.
He narrates the opening sequence, inviting us to: "Listen! Can you hear it? The music? I can hear it everywhere," he says. "In the wind. In the air. In the light."
By the end of this film, you'll be hearing it, too, and soaring with little August as high as you'll let this glorious music carry you.
Movie Review: Music as a Stabilizing Influence on Life
Summary: 5 Stars
The parallels between this movie and Oliver, which have been pointed out by other reviewers, in no way detracts from the charm of this movie. The story of a young boy who has been left to his own resources, and discovers a haven called music is inspiring and dramatic; I can most specifically relate to using music has a source of hope and promise as a boy!
The story proceeds with a series of flashbacks that explain how the situation developed that put our talented hero in an orphanage. His love of music, which was strictly generated within him, serves as a focal point for living that helps compensate for the difficulties which life has placed before him.
August is blessed with a remarkable talent for music that places him in the child prodigy category. Having no one that cares enough to help him, he must find music in all that surrounds him; as he listens to the ordinary sounds of life he translates that into music in his mind.
A basic part of his belief system is a complete, unshakable confidence that his parents love him and want him back. This notion is ridiculed by the other boys in the orphanage but his confidence is not compromised by that.
The story takes a big turn when August, who is actually named Evan Taylor, decides to follow the music and finds himself in the totally strange surroundings of New York City. This is where a boy street musician, the "Artful Dodger" character, befriends him and takes him to meet the "Fagin" character who in this story is called The Wizard, very well played by Robin Williams.
The pace of the story picks up from this point onward; the lives of all three, the mother, Lyla, played by Keri Russell, the father, Louis, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and the son, August/Evan, played by Freddie Highmore are being drawn together by their shared love of music. I will only say that the ending does not disappoint!
The copy we watched last night was loaned to us by a friend; I placed an order for a copy of our own this morning with Amazon. I'm already looking forward to seeing it again. By the way, the sound on the disc is very good; there are instrumental solos including a pipe organ that sound fabulous, as well as an unusual blending of rock and classical music used to show the dramatically different lives lead by Lyla and Louis.
We thoroughly enjoyed the movie and found it captivating!