Sentimental Film with Excellent Music

Rating: 8/10 (18 August 2016)

This movie revolves around an orphan named Evan Taylor played by Freddie Highmore. Evan is searching for his parents and driven by the music in his head. This theme propels the "quest". Both mother and father are musicians and their son turns out to be a prodigy Amadeus style. There are Oliver Twist overtones which provides the conflict.
Wizard, played by Robin Williams, takes the role of Fagin. New York city urchins give Wizard money they receive busking on the streets. Wizard plans to capitalize on Evan's talent and act as his promoter. August Rush is a name Wizard provides because it has more pop and marketability.
The highs and lows through the movie are mild and I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop Hollywood style. It was actually nice that a chainsaw wielding maniac did not show up and ruin everybody's day.
There is plenty of acoustic guitar music peppered through the movie, which adds to the experience. Mark Mancina's compositions are exceptional, which makes the soundtrack a compelling purchase.
Reviewers claim that the parents hookup is unrealistic or being drawn back together by the boys musical talent is highly unlikely. Every theater goer in world knows you have to check your skepticism in the lobby. To enjoy any film one must suspend their disbelief or not go in the first place. For those who did not like the movie my suggestion is to drive to the sketchy part of town wearing a sandwich board with ethnic slurs written in bold letters. Your day will get real and real quick.