A beautiful look at the connectedness of life

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2018)

"August Rush" is a wonderful story about life and love. The reuniting of parents with a child they didn't know they had, and with each other, happens through unknown feelings or senses of the missing person or persons. The vehicle that connects the three main characters here is natural talent for music. In the case of the boy, August, it's an innate musical genius.
Something like this may not be as far-fetched as one may think. The medical and other sciences are researching in many fields of human life from conception, to genetics and heredity. New discoveries are pointing to biological connectedness only imagined in the past. This is between parents and children, siblings, and even relatives removed from a direct bloodline.
Some studies have found twins separated at birth and adopted out, knowing some way that they have a twin brother or sister. Other studies are looking at siblings who have a sense of a brother or sister who is not alive. As research continues and we learn more about the complex make up of human life, we may one day come to realize that we all are brothers and sisters in the human race.
This is a superb story about the beauty and sacredness of all life - not just that of the specially gifted. August shows us that by his observation of others, and amazement for what they do. This is a fine film for the whole family. And, it could be a good learning vehicle if shown in the schools.
The film has touches of humor in places. Here's a favorite line. Louis's fiancé is turned off at his family reunion and leaves in a huff. As she drives off, Marshall says, "Louis, aren't you supposed to be in the car with the girl as she drives off into the sunset?"