Movie Review: August Rush
Published November 21, 2007
Where I’ve grown up, they try to keep me from hearing the music, but when I’m alone it builds up inside me.
Once I got over the clichéd, unbelievable romantic encounter of cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and rocker Lewis (Jonathan Rhys-Myers)—the love-at-first-sight and then girl gets pregnant thing—I settled in with the whimsy of August Rush, despite its ridiculous moments.
August Rush has all the elements one seeks in a fairytale: the princess (Lyla), the prince (Lewis), the evil guardsman (her father), the tower (her father’s protectiveness), lost love, lost dreams, and the chance for reunion and redemption.
While performing in New York, Lyla hooks up at a party with the lead singer in a band. Apparently, the evening is memorable and life-changing for both parties. But Lyla’s overprotective father keeps her from meeting her paramour the next day. Lewis quits his band. All are haunted by the past: Lewis is obsessed with memories of Lyla and that one night so long ago, while Lyla thinks her baby died. Meanwhile, she is so young that her father makes a choice regarding her musical career.
Eleven years later: everything’s magical.
The boy literally hears music in everything and is, predictably, a child prodigy like his mother. Meanwhile in Chicago, Lyla, as her friend ironically states, is a “music teacher who doesn’t play music anymore.” In San Francisco, Lewis works in finance and is no longer in a band. Lyla’s father confesses what he did, and Lyla goes on a frantic search for her son.
Suddenly both parents want to play music again. Lyla picks up her cello; Lewis contacts his band, winning them over with his Lyla-influenced love song. Lyla decides to play a concert in Central Park, while Lewis and the band book a gig at Irving Plaza in Manhattan. And he happens to be getting ready for his concert debut - in Central Park. And we all know that New York is the ultimate destination for dreams to come true.
I believe in music the way some people believe in fairytales.
There are many Dickensian elements in August Rush. Shades of Oliver Twist. First, August (Freddie Highmore) has been languishing at a boys' school for the unwanted. (There is nothing wrong with him, and he would have been adopted as a baby or small child, surely. But I let that go.) He runs away to Times Square amidst the symphony of musical city sounds. The cacophony of millions of people, clashes, grinding, and motors aplenty makes the music for him.
- Movie Review: August Rush
- Published: November 21, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Drama, Review, Video: Music
- Writer: Amy Steele
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Oh I think the end was good enough. It was obvious they all just "knew". It was a refreshing movie, and I loved the music in this film. Excellent and different movie. Didn't need all the trashy talk and R rated crap that goes along with most out there. Great job with this one. I would see it again just to see the people and hear the music in it. Cast was excellent - all of them.
I watched it yesterday. Such a cute movie. I agree that in these times of violent movies, it was refreshing to just sit and watch a beautiful story unfold, complete with amazing music and wonderful performances by everyone: Highmore, Williams, Russell, Meyers, etc.
About the above review, the reviewer seems to have forgotten Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in the movie. He was pretty good in it.
If you love music--if it is your passion--nothing else matters in this film. You could almost close your eyes and feel just the music. I wondered if there are those among us with such a gift that it transcends mere mortality. Einstein, Mozart, Stephen Hawking--they must see the world differently. It must resonate as it does with August Rush. I was mesmerized.
this movie was such a great movie....
i greatly recommend it to anyone who simply wishes to see a perfect nice movie.....
though the ending could of been much more better....
there were too many questions untold...
but overall I really enjoyed it.
I loved August Rush! It was such a great movie! I watched it twice in one day. I now have the soundtrack! The ending left me hanging that I think the director should make a sequel!
This is my new favorite movie! Such a feel good ,hopeful, inrichful movie. The acting was so beleivable and powerful. Such a great and different story. Just what the world needed. I hope there is a sequel because, like others, things were left unfinished. I hope the reason is because there is a sequel coming? I hope so! I first rented the movie and watched it three times. Then I bought the soundtrack, and a few days later, I bought the movie. BRAVO!
I just saw the movie today
and I couldnt get enough
I left my seat so that I could be right in front of the television
Saying this movie keeps you at the edge of your seat is the understatement of the millenium!!!
The music was breath taking
and the way Freddy Highmore portrayed it made a rainbow of emotions to well up inside of me.
I could just go on forever about it.
Although I was disappointed with the ending.
How could they leave us with such a cliff hanger
It should be illegal!
Okay before I spaz,
if you havent seen this movie,
go see it immediately!
yeaah
well triple thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this movie! Besides the 'hanging' ending, which wasn't too bad, because it was obvious that they all seemed to know everything already...the only thing I didn't like was that Lyla (Keri Russell) and Lewis (Johnathan Rhys Meyer) knew each other for what, 3 minutes before they kissed and stuff? That was a little too much fantasy in the story. But it was, I suppose, essential to the rest of the plot, or else they would've already known each other, and maybe her father wouldn't have been so restricting. But anyway, I love this movie, and it's a Must see for people looking for a touching, musically inspiring film!
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The movie was WONDERFUL! Yet, the ending was SUCH a let down. Too many questions left hanging. 1. Lewis thought she was married from the phone call he made and yet still went up and grabbed her hand. 2. Did August know they were his parents? Of course, they make you think he does....but there's no definite reunion. 3. Lyla knows August is her son, but she never tells Lewis.
These were all the moments I was waiting to see but never got too. At least let us see them in a park having a picnic or something...I left feeling like I needed to know what happened next, but I doubt there will ever be a sequel. Please tell a director you know not to do this to such a great story.