A truly rare kind of film, over-the-top and a little storybook-like, but very truthful.

Rating: 8/10 (2 October 2015)

The thing that strikes me about this film is that it definitely has a fantastical sort of story-telling, full of odd coincidences and some less-than-plausible aspects, but the film makes no effort to be anything other than what it is. The film doesn't try that hard to be documentary, because that's not what it set out to do. The film is meant to inspire and, IMO, it does a superb job. On paper this film sounds very clichÃ©d and cookie-cutter. It is definitely a hard film to describe properly but here's my take:
While the film is technically about Evan "August Rush", it is equally focused on the parallel-story of his biological parents; Lyla, a world-class Cellist who has her whole life plotted out by her controlling father; and Louis, a decent rock-musician who is constantly berated and held back by his less-than-supportive brothers/band.
The real plot of the movie is about escaping inner loneliness to reach your true self. Evan deals with bullying at his orphanage for being "a freak". Lyla is controlled and suffocated by her father and peers, forbidden from doing anything "improper". Louis is deep and seeks a true partner but is teased by his shallow brothers for being too emotionally sensitive.
All 3 characters are motivated by music and love, all 3 are surrounded by idiots. As the movie progresses each character suffers consequences of other people's selfishness, meets obstacles, in the case of Evan's parents: bad timing and "real life", in the case of Evan: homelessness.
The woman who plays Lyla, Evan's mom, for me, is the strongest character, superbly acted and scripted, and perfectly cast. She and Robin Williams are the adult stars of the film - and in my opinion, this is one of Freddie Highmore's best childhood roles (IDK, apparently he's Norman bates now, IDK, I have no interest in that show). This film is not exactly for everyone though, as the camera work is a little "rough around the edges" and the story's a little in-your-face, subtlety-wise; but if you have parenthood issues, or a natural gift that others don't appreciate, or basically any emotional problems, boy is this the film for you!
The thing that, for me, sets this film apart is how 3D the characters are. I first noticed like in the scene where Louis's brother 1# teases Louis after not seeing each other for years after their falling out, 2# punches Louis at Louis' request, and #3 "cheers" Louis "up" after Louis' girl-friend angrily drives away by saying "aren't you supposed to be IN the car driving off to the sunset?". And it occurred to me, the brother, Louis' antagonist in the film, is actually TRYING to bond with his brother, but on a selfish "let's party" level, and it's not that his brother is actively trying to pour lemon juice on Louis' heartbreak, he's trying to help Louis feel better - though in all the WRONG ways. Basically every "villain" in this movie actually has a viable motivation for making the 3 protagonists' lives a living hell.
So the film's not about fighting villains or adversity, it's about fighting fundamental conflicts of principle. Louis' brothers seriously think they're doing the right thing, casting off his heartbreak over Lyla as "she's just a girl, you'll get over her" Lyla's dad seriously believes he's helping her by ruining every part of her non-Cello-playing life. This is what intrigues me above all else because this is how I think evil actually works.
Also fascinating is how it deals with the adult world, depicting a world where sex, drugs, and alcoholism clearly exists, but tastefully not focusing on it. In a way, Lyla's disinterest in the not-safe-for-kids surroundings of a party accentuates her inner predicament and censors the film at the same time.
So don't let this film's child star or rating fool you - this is a film with two, fully fleshed out, adult, and highly mature, intelligent main characters, and one child main character, each leading 3 separate stories that properly capture how that character sees and hears the world. Evans' scenes are filled with childlike curiosity of the outside world, Lyla and Louis' scenes are remarkably non-watered-down AND interesting depictions of the jaded problems adults face. I watched this film as an adolescent and appreciated Evan's character while being moderately not-bored with the adults' characters, I watched it again as an almost-adult and connected with the parents' characters while being okay with Evan's character. It defies the face of audience-aging conventions.
This film is a comprehensive guide on abusive relationships, true love for something greater, confronting the powerlessness of your situation, and inner healing, all wrapped up in a PG/G rated film. No small feat, in my opinion.
And the music is truly beautiful. The entire film integrates phrases and aspects of the final rhapsody throughout Evan's journey as he's inspired by his surroundings, so at the end, the preceding film is brought together and retold in his song. There are a few films that make me fight back tears. Toy Story 3, and this.
A somewhat amateurish film that achieves what it sets out to do: A musical journey of fighting against the apathy of others to reach your dream. What it lacks in objective quality, it more than makes up for in emotion - if the message speaks to you, but if you don't get it, you'll probably think "meh". But for ME, it's poetry, so for what it's worth, I HIGHLY recommend seeing this film.