In a Nutshell Masterpiece: August Rush (8/10)

Rating: 8/10 (8 December 2010)

August Rush..."The music is all around us. All you have to do is; listen!"
Wishing for a perfect mood-fix that will revive your senses and leave you with a smile? There you have it. This film will top everything your cinematic desires will wish for in a light, romantic, musically influenced picture. August Rush cannot be categorized as just a story, it is a fairytale, though without unicorns and butterflies, still very inspirational and uplifting in an indescribable way. It's a story about Evan "Freddie Highmore", a young music prodigy separated at birth from his parents, who uses his magically inherited musical talents in his quest to reunite his family.
What's unique about this movie is though it is set in the real world, it is nonetheless filled with endless fairytale elements that give it its special identity. From love at first sight on a roof of an NYC building, to the derelict, Oliver Twist like, children and their Wizard of a leader, to the magical musical and spiritual bond between three family members yet to be united. All these elements contribute in making August Rush an epic on its own terms.
Music is the fundamental rudiment of this picture, and it is undoubtedly a strong base for a stronger structure. With the assistance of the sound mixing and editing, almost every sound in the movie is transformed into rhythm. You can hear melodies through the blowing wind and beats through the sound of a dribbling basketball. The original soundtrack of August Rush is very powerful and it only adds the right flavor to the very simple, yet very touching story. The song "Raise it up" is arguably the only thing that is not left underrated in this film and that is due to its Oscar nomination in 2008 for best original song.
I can go on and on about how August Rush is satisfying on all levels, but there's one undeniable fact; that acting, especially that of Freddie Highmore is the corner stone of the whole thing. This is the same kid that fascinated Johnny Depp when they worked together in "Finding Neverland" and made him request him one more time to be the Charlie in "Charlie & The Chocolate factory". His smiles, his gestures, his calmness and his ability of transforming his character's inner thoughts and feelings to the audience, these all are factors in leaving the viewers no choice but to enjoy what they're seeing.
On top of that and besides the satisfying performances of Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Keri Russell (the parents), you get the perfect portrayal of the caring Child Services officer by Terrance Howard and the leader of a gang of street performers by Academy Award winner Robin Williams. Their characters, though secondary, they serve tighten the story and give it more meaning and morality.
In a nutshell, August Rush is a fairytale of music, magic and love. It is like that song you'd play on regardless of your mood. It starts with a thought and ends with a rhapsody. It definitely leaves its audience with the perfect rush. So, let the music fill you up and make the most of it. It is a very pleasant experience!