August Rush (2007)

Before I start this review, you have to realize that I am a big fan of music - all types - and there is a soft place in my heart for movies about music. That being said...

August Rush follows the fortunes of an 11 year old orphan that, as cheesy as it sounds, believes in the power of music so much, he thinks he can find his parents by following it. His parents are musicians in their own right, and conceive Evan after a one night stand. In order to avoid derailing her promising career as a concert cellist, Evan's grandfather tells Evan's mother that Evan died in child birth, which lands Evan in an orphanage. Evan's mother and father go their merry ways, not knowing that they have a child.

Turns out he is a musical prodigy, and after wandering away from the orphanage which he lives in he ends up on the streets of New York City. He ends up living with a bunch of homeless boys and their twisted leader "Wizard" (played by Robin Williams). At this point in the movie, it becomes clear this is a remake of Oliver Twist. The "Wizard" realizes Evan's gift for music, gives him a guitar, dubs him "August Rush", and duo start to make a lot of money busking on the streets. In the mean time, Evan's mother finally finds out what her father did with the child, and starts a quest to find him. Evan breaks from the Wizard, and through a series of circumstances ends up a Julliard where his musical gift is finally recognized for what it is. Can he use the power of his music to actually find his parents?

The thing you have to realize about this movie is that it is very unrealistic. There are lots of scenes where people just know that someone is looking at them, or that there is something going on on the other side of the world. And even the best of musical prodigies cannot learn to play a guitar within 15 minutes at the level that Evan breaks out. The film also unabashedly plays on peoples emotions. It is completely cheesy and preposterous. However, I bought it all - once I realized that the movie wouldn't be grounded in reality, it was a wonderful story. The final scene in the movie where Evan inevitably does bring his parents together is touching, even though it defies logic and reason. I guess what I am saying is, there are a lot of people who will hate this movie, but I say, get over it, its just a movie. There is a lot of great music to enjoy and a heartfelt message.