Great cast, fascinating premise: A child of musically talented parents, apparently abandoned but yet craving music and more. Stars Freddie Highmore in the title role.
Opens Nov. 21.
Full Version: August Rush
My favorite quote of the day so far, via GreenCine:
"While many films require a suspension of disbelief, August Rush asks viewers to terminate their disbelief without severance and have security escort it from the building," writes Alonso Duralde for MSNBC.
"While many films require a suspension of disbelief, August Rush asks viewers to terminate their disbelief without severance and have security escort it from the building," writes Alonso Duralde for MSNBC.
FWIW, my review. I use the phrase "suspension of disbelief" too, or a variant thereof, but I do so with some reluctance, for the reasons Tolkien spelled out.
Barbara Nicolosi likes it -- labels it a "culture of life" movie -- and takes another swipe at Bella because of it.
I saw it and liked it, even though the script is awkward in places. Seeing it as more of an urban fairytale rather than a realistic romance, I think the music of the film is impressive enough that it carries the emotion of the film. The two main flaws were that Robin Williams’ character isn’t terribly well-defined, and the ending seems to bring the emotional resolution of the film in the rediscovered romance between the parents instead of the reconciliation of the boy to his parents, which is what the rest of the film was pointing toward. But I was moved by how the film expressed the beauty of music. Not to mention the fine guitar work from Kaki King on the soundtrack.
QUOTE (Crow @ Dec 9 2007, 11:13 PM) 
I saw it and liked it, even though the script is awkward in places. Seeing it as more of an urban fairytale rather than a realistic romance, I think the music of the film is impressive enough that it carries the emotion of the film. The two main flaws were that Robin Williams’ character isn’t terribly well-defined, and the ending seems to bring the emotional resolution of the film in the rediscovered romance between the parents instead of the reconciliation of the boy to his parents, which is what the rest of the film was pointing toward. But I was moved by how the film expressed the beauty of music. Not to mention the fine guitar work from Kaki King on the soundtrack.
Crow, I agree with the observation that the music can carry the film. In my review I said:
QUOTE
Though it is clear that this magical tale is an analogy of a deeper reality, it works well in expressing the inexpressible. The music itself is worthy of the price of admission, as the classical cello and the rock guitar being played in two very different settings blend in a musical composition of unusual texture and passion. But the most moving of all is the music of August’s creation which brings the climactic conclusion to the film. That is a moment you will not want to miss.
I also like the idea of the Musica Universalis - or the "music of the spheres." That there are those who are so intuned with nature that they can "hear" the music is something the ancient Greeks believed.
Denny
August Rush is presented as a musical fairytale. I found it to be a spiritual parable.
August Rush is the story of a supposedly orphaned boy (Freddie Highmore) who can hear the harmonic connection between all living things -- including his musician parents. He believes his parents are communicating to him through the music in the world around him. He eventually runs away in search of his parents and his musical destiny.
The boy must deal with adults who don't understand his gift and orphanage bullies who try to silence the music by tormenting him. I think many artists will identify with the theme of society trying to squash their creativity. It was inspiring to watch him overcome the influence of the skeptics and reach his potential as a music prodigy. His parents' stories represent the other side of the coin - how we can can sleep walk through life if we don't follow our dream.
One reviewer couldn't tolerate the coincidences. If this is taken as a spiritual parable, those are serendipities. Serendipities signal that you are going down the right spiritual path.
An important theme of the film is how music touches the soul and connects us with others. The music in August Rush definitely uplifts the soul.
Jana
http://reelinspiration.blogspot.com/
August Rush is the story of a supposedly orphaned boy (Freddie Highmore) who can hear the harmonic connection between all living things -- including his musician parents. He believes his parents are communicating to him through the music in the world around him. He eventually runs away in search of his parents and his musical destiny.
The boy must deal with adults who don't understand his gift and orphanage bullies who try to silence the music by tormenting him. I think many artists will identify with the theme of society trying to squash their creativity. It was inspiring to watch him overcome the influence of the skeptics and reach his potential as a music prodigy. His parents' stories represent the other side of the coin - how we can can sleep walk through life if we don't follow our dream.
One reviewer couldn't tolerate the coincidences. If this is taken as a spiritual parable, those are serendipities. Serendipities signal that you are going down the right spiritual path.
An important theme of the film is how music touches the soul and connects us with others. The music in August Rush definitely uplifts the soul.
Jana
http://reelinspiration.blogspot.com/
Worst movie I've seen in a very long time.
Oooh, go on!
QUOTE (Ron @ Apr 3 2008, 02:12 AM)
Worst movie I've seen in a very long time.
Oh my. I wouldn't go nearly that far.
None of the characters in this were fleshed out in any substantial or even satisfying way, and Terrance Howard's character specifically seems to have been forgotten about the end. So that aspect was disappointing.
But the film had a few great moments, like the segment with the young girl in the church. And the basic storyline I loved.
It's execution was poor, and I won't be revisiting it anytime soon, but I wouldn't say it's the worst movie I've seen in awhile. I recently saw Hitman, and that was much worse.
Heh. Ken Morefield just began his review thusly: "I won't say that August Rush is the worst movie I've seen in the last year (at least), not because it isn't but only because I'm too tired having torn apart Dan in Real Life to have the energy to expound on every bad choices made by the film's makers."
Later on, he writes: "I will say that I can't think of a film since A Thin Red Line that drags on longer after you know what is going to happen."
Later on, he writes: "I will say that I can't think of a film since A Thin Red Line that drags on longer after you know what is going to happen."
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.