Too Sweet For Some

Rating: 7/10 (13 March 2008)

Schmaltzy and predictable, AUGUST RUSH will still manage to please most movie-goers. The basic ingredients make this so: a healthy helping of a cute young kid (Freddie Highmore, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY), a dose of a busted-up, romantic, musical couple (Keri Russell, SCRUBS, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, MATCH POINT), and the sprinkling of a slimy vagabond (Robin Williams, HAPPY FEET).
Highmore has come a long way in his short life. Having immensely enjoyed his portrayal as Peter in FINDING NEVERLAND, I have followed the career path of this super-young-star with interest. Most recently he's starred in THE GOLDEN COMPASS and THE SPIDERWICK CHRONCLES, two blockbuster films. Whoever his agent is, they've done a fantastic job.
But Highmore has never taken on a role quite as focused as August Rush before. He tended to be overshadowed by the larger than life actors that played beside him (Johnny Depp, Anjelica Huston, etc.). But this time, the focus is all on his character, Evan/August Rush. His name change from Evan to August is affected by the wayward homeless musician "The Wizard" played by Robin Williams. The slime-factor is high for Williams here, higher than I've ever seen from him. This also made the story much more interesting and made you dislike Williams' Wizard character in the extreme.
The love story between Lyla (Keri Russell) and Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is executed well if a bit distant and unrealistic. Their one night stand that results in a pregnancy becomes the culminating factor that binds all of the characters together. Well ...that ...and music, of course.
Evan (Highmore) is lost amidst the U.S. orphanage industry until he eventually makes good his escape. He carries with him only his belief that music will somehow connect him with his unknown parents. He's lived music his entire, short life, so whenever he comes into contact with an instrument (be it a guitar or a piano) he quickly grasps its workings and can play it within moments. A prodigy, he's soon called by those that know him. Pulling him away from his dreams, however, is The Wizard, a man who wants to personally capitalize on Evan's astounding abilities by prostituting him to the highest bidder ...the highest bidder willing to pay his manager (i.e., The Wizard).
Juilliard is offered up to Evan, and he quickly surpasses all those before him. But he still hasn't found his parents (who are also musicians), and a concert in New York's Central Park soon beckons them together. It's so sweet it'll make your eye-teeth ache.
Even with its overly-sweet beginning, middle, and end, August Rush is something of a must for those who enjoy unique musical playing and the process of melodious discovery.
Just don't eat any chocolate while watching it.