Twelve years ago, on a gorgeous moonlit night, Lyla Novacek, a renowned cellist, and Louis Connelly, a singer/songwriter, fell in love. Though Lyla swore that she would meet Louis, her father's persistence won out and she was rushed off to her next concert. Separated, both were unhappy and neither found it possible to play again, sending their dreams up in smoke. Soon after, Lyla discovered she was pregnant and following a fight with her father she was led to believe that she had lost the baby in a car accident. However her belief is proved untrue as her now orphaned son uses his strong musical talent as a source to find his birth parents.
Though August Rush does suffer from an exaggerated and predictable script, it does excel on its acting and music making it a mediocre film that is worthy of its soundtrack.
The film's most unique aspect is its music. Full of amazing compositions the music grasps at your emotions and helps to form a connection with what is taking place on the screen. I also have to say that I loved the "˜improved' use of the guitar by Freddie Highmore and I have to commend the film for just showing it. Nonetheless the music is reason enough to see this film or at least buy the soundtrack.
Another thing that I have to commend is the film's acting. Both Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers did a great job portraying two soul mates, torn apart at the seams. Their every thought and emotion is caught and expressed perfectly, bringing to life their characters and their relationship.
Unfortunately the great acting vibe didn't reach all its cast members. Robin Williams, who I usually think does a great job, underperformed as he overplayed the "˜villain' role, becoming both stereotypical and annoying. Additionally Freddie Highmore plays an eleven year old full of musical talent horribly. From his over innocence to his lack of pride or emotion his character seems lost and uninterested in anything that is going on around him "¦ even music. Blame the actors or blame the script, but someone somewhere missed the bull's eye.
In the end August Rush shows itself as a hit or miss film. With that said I have to commend the two leads for their stellar acting and the composer for his amazing compositions, without both aspects the film would be a complete dub. Instead it is not only bearable but in many ways enjoyable and entertaining.
