Customer Reviews
A Magical Modern Fairy Tale 
2008-07-06
'August Rush' is, as best, hard to describe. It's not a musical, but it's a movie about music, where music forms the emotional backbone of the story. It's not a fantasy, but the story it tells has elements that can only be described as fantastic. It's not a 'family film' is the traditional sense, though it is a movie the the whole family can watch, enjoy, and appreciate on many levels.
'August Rush' tells the story of a young boy, conceived on a magical night between a pair of star-crossed lovers who seem to be fated never to meet again, and given up as an orphan at birth. Despite his hard life, the boy has a faith that is challenged at every turn. It is not a faith in a God or gods, not even a faith that his parents will find hom someday. What this boy believes in more than anything is a force that shapes his life and the story he tells us: he believes in music.
The boy's faith leads him to a story which is nothing less than magical. It leads him to New York, to discover his own talent for music, to new friends, to people who would use what he brings for their own ends, to those who actually care for him. His belief and his ability and his determination lead him to hear the music all around him, and to express it in his own way.
'August Rush' tells a story that isn't heard very often today, a story of hope and belief and music and the simple ways that magic can be a part of our lives. Like any good fairy tale, 'August Rush' cracks open a door to simple magic and wonder, and invites us to walk through.
"All you have to do...is listen."
Music and Love in Superb Dramatic Fantasy... 2008-07-06
It's easy to point out the incongruities of Kirsten Sheridan's magical "August Rush"...an 11-year-old who learns guitar in one night, and piano and musical composition in another...but this is not a movie for nitpickers, but for dreamers, and all of us who hear music in everything we experience. And boy, does this film deliver!
I wasn't surprised to see Nick Castle's hand in the screenplay, as he is an old hand at finding magic in our cynical world (he wrote and directed "The Boy Who Could Fly"); here, we have the story of two incredibly gifted musicians, a Julliard-trained cellist (Keri Russell), and a self-taught Irish rock singer/composer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), who bond under the stars in New York City, then are torn apart by families with their own agendas. She carries his child, but after an accident, her ambitious father (William Sadler) steals the newborn, dumps the baby into social services, and announces to the daughter that the child had died. What is MEANT to be, never happens, the lives of both musicians unravel, and they soon give up their gifts, for mundane careers...as their unknown child (the remarkable Freddie Highmore) grows into a musical prodigy, on a mission to find them.
The bulk of the film deals with the child's search, and the remarkable people he meets along the way, from a sympathetic welfare worker (Terrence Howard), to a gifted child guitarist and his Fagin-like mentor (Leon Thomas III and Robin Williams, who is creepy, but excellent), and finally, a powerful child gospel singer, and her pastor (Jamia Simone Nash and Mykelti Williamson). Dubbed 'August Rush' by Williams, the boy harnesses his prodigious musical talents, even as his parents individually renew their own musical careers, and are drawn back to New York City, and a tear-inducing, spectacular climax. Predictable? You bet, but I dare you not to be moved, anyway!
The performances are first-rate, particularly from the child actors, and the music is awesome. This is unabashedly a 'feel-good' movie, the perfect flick to pop into the DVD player when you're feeling down.
My only real quibble is the lack of Special Features; extended scenes are all that are offered, and this is a film I'd have loved learning more about...
"August Rush" is a wonderful film that shouldn't be missed!
Love it lots! 2008-07-06
I loved this movie! I loved the music. A great feel good movie!
August Rush 2008-07-04
Very good movie. Make sure you have plenty of tissues. It is a tear jerk movie. I could watch it over and over.
A fairy tale that makes you feel really, really good! 
2008-07-03
The previous reviews relating the plot and very strong cast are excellent and I agree with them. I had to let my "inner child" take over at the contrived ending which was totally unbelievable but, who cares? Watching it made you feel terrific - just turn your intellect off for a few minutes. I would give this movie 5 stars for the entire movie, save the conclusion which was unbelievable but still moving. I rented it on demand and will buy to add to my collection of other "feel good" movies. This is one to keep and great for the entire family. I think children would really enjoy it as well. I felt it conveyed the way we musicians feel and "hear" music - or unfortunately for many people - who don't. Studies have shown that our brains are "hard wired" for music appreciation and this film certainly shows that beautifully. I highly recommend this film for anyone who has ever loved a piece of music and wants an escape from our daily drudge even if you must suspend belief. As an opera lover, I do that all the time! This film makes it very easy to do! To see it and hear it - is to love it.
A Tear-Jerking Musical Prodigy/Oliver Twist Story 2008-07-01
There?s music in the wind and sky. Can you hear it? And there?s hope. Can you feel it? The boy called August Rush can. The music mysteriously draws him penniless and alone to New York City in a quest to find ? somehow someway ? the parents separated from him years earlier. And along the way he may also find the musical genius hidden within him. Experience the magic of this rhapsodic epic of the heart starring Freddie Highmore (as August) Keri Russell Jonathan Rhys Meyers Terrence Howard and Robin Williams. ?I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales? August says. Open your heart and listen. You?ll believe too.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/CHILDHOOD DRAMA UPC: 012569763685 Manufacturer No: 76368
Music is the real star. 2008-06-29
The first half hour of this movie is ridiculously slow. I must admit that the first time I saw this movie, I was very bored at first. And, the love story cliché is nothing original. "Oh noes, my rockstar boyfriend is gone!!" Seen it all before.
But, honestly, I got something much different out of this movie than most people seem to have gotten. While other people seem to be focused on the love story, or that August is a musical prodigy, or that he is bound and determined to find his parents, or what have you, all of that seemed secondary to me. To me, the real story is how music affects us all, no matter who we are or what kind of music we make. August's dad is a guitarist and a rock singer who quits his music only to return later, because his life is incomplete without it. His mother is a classically trained cellist who becomes a music teacher as well as a performer. Wizard turns to music as a means to an end (teaching the children to play so they can make money for him) and as a source of comfort (playing the harmonica when he loses his best student). All of the professors at Julliard are moved by the music that August creates. Is music not the real star of this movie? Freddie Highmore's character is just a facilitator. Music the true star here. Thus, I give this movie 4 stars.
Listen to the Music 2008-06-28
I think August Rush was one of the best movies that I have seen in a long time. It has a valuable lesson on using your intuition to guide you. Excellent movie.
August Rush 2008-06-28
Such a great movie! Exactly as advertised, arrived quickly, and in perfect condition. Would absolutely use this seller again!
Fantasy versus reality 2008-06-24
I rented this film first, watched it, adored the musicality of it, and then promptly ordered it (so much cheaper on Amazon than in the stores). Yes, it is a modern "adaptation" of OLIVER TWIST. Yes, Robin Williams' character of Wizard is creepy beyond belief (for a better dark portrayal, check out his anarchist character on a late episode of Law & Order: SVU from this past season-it ran in April/May). Yes, the characters of Lyla and Louis don't age in 10 years (how old are they supposed to be when they meet? 18, 20? Who knows?). I say all of these things to state that although we KNOW these things are highly unlikely to happen, that doesn't take away from the message of the film.
I enjoyed the sweeping view of NYC and it's outlying suburbs, all of the kid's inherent musical genius, and the universal THEME of wanting to belong to someone or something (in August/Evan's case, his family).
I knocked off 1 star because I thought Keri Russell could've shined a bit more and shown more range as Lyla Novacek. Also, I didn't see a need for Terrence Howard's social worker. Anyone could've played that part ably (perhaps I'm biased, but I haven't liked anything Howard's done since "The Best Man") Jonathan Rhys Meyers was a revelation as Louis Connelly though. What a talent (singing and acting)! The look that he gives August/Evan in the park after playing "dueling guitars" is so fraught with emotion-he knows this kid is special; he just can't put his finger on WHY.
The ending could've been extended a bit, and the DVD is short on special features (nothing at ALL about how the music came together for the film-what a shame since it's such an integral part of the movie). Overall I give it a 4-star effort. A great family film.
