In short, this movie is about a child prodigy who is trying to get back to his parents through music.
Naturally, you can see how I would love it.
The movie kicks off with said child (Freddie Highmore) stating his beliefs on the power of music, and how it affects his life, how he thinks it affected his parents life, how he thinks it'll get him back to his parents, etc...
It then goes to show how his father and mother were both musicians themselves. Lyla, his mother, a cellist. and Louis, his father, a punk-rock band guitarist and vocalist.
This child, as you might've guessed, is living in an orphanage at this point in the movie; the underdog that is always being bullied around.
When this child, Evan, runs away, he soon finds himself right in the heart of New York city. He finds, follows, and gains the friendship of another child musician, Arthur, who has been playing music on the streets for months. Arthur brings Evan, who is later renamed August Rush, to a abandoned theater where 'Wizard' (Robin Williams) is extorting children for their musical talents. August is taken in and learns quite quickly how to play music himself.
Following the story of all three members of the seperated family; Lyla, Louis, and August; the movie spins a fantastic tale of Love, Bravery, and Dedication.
First off, let me just say that I love music more than nearly anything else in the world. (In case you didn't know.) If you don't have a love for music, you might not enjoy this movie quite as much.
This movie is packed full of music. Not so much the theory, but the pure beauty and power of it.
DJ Wilson, otherwise known as The Anonymous Antagonist, has been doing a series of interviews called 'An Examination of the Arts.' In the range of 11-13 on his questions, he asks about music and how it affects you. Or rather, whether or not it does affect you. I'm not planning on doing said interview anytime soon, but I would like to do my little rant on music and the way it affects you.
Actually,
Jeff Moss preached at our church last week. His sermon was on the Psalms, and how influential they are in our lives. But He kicked off his sermon with the statement that all music affects us. Maybe not in those exact words, but I'm sure that's what he was getting at. Like Benny said, you can be depressed, turn on happy music, and it will most likely greatly improve your mood.
All that merely to show the great power of music.
Anyways, getting sidetracked, aside from the amazing music of this movie, the music shows an overlying theme throughout the whole movie of dedication. To your music, and to your family.
It was said in the movie: "You never quit on your music. No matter what happens. Cause anytime somethin' bad happens to you, it's the one place you can escape to and just *psh!* let it go."
This part in particular, for me, was one of the most beautiful scenes in the movie. The father reunites with the son he never knew he had, does a guitar duet with him, and gives him some of the most encouraging words ever.
The plot is fairly predictable from that point on through the rest of the movie. But despite this fact, I loved the movie.
Overall rating for me: 95/100. 2 points down for the slight language, 3 points down for the fact that August's (Evan's) parents weren't married.
I would highly recommend this movie, not just because I love it, but because it's beautiful in so many different ways. I found the movie to be inspirational as well, but maybe that's just because of my somewhat obsessive love for music.
Question: Have you seen August Rush? If so, do you have any other opinions?
Song quote of the post:
"I've been sitting watching life pass from the sidelines. I've been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds. I wondered what might happen if I left this all behind. Would the wind be at my back? Could I get you off my mind?"
-Jonathan Rhys Meyers, "This Time" ~from August Rush
Scripture verse of the post:
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
Psalm 28:7
