Warner Bros. Pictures with Southpaw Entertainment Productions in association with CJ Entertainment present a 100 minute PG rated music filled drama directed by Kirsten Sheridan and starring Keri Russell (Lyla Novacek), Freddie Highmore (August Rush/Evan Taylor), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Louis Connelly), Robin Williams (Wizard), Leon G. Thomas III (Arthur), Terrence Howard (Richard Jeffries), Jamia Simone Nash (Hope) with William Sadler (Thomas), Alex O'Louglin (Marshall), Aaron Staton (Nick), Jamie O'Keefe (Steve), Becki Newton (Jenny) and Emelie Jeffries (Violist).
This is the must see film of the year so far, sure to inspire and fill your soul with the symphony of music and the embodiment of hope for the future and the people we encounter in it on a daily basis. "All you have to do is open yourself up, all you have to do is listen" and this film will take you on a journey to a better place within your realm of your inner emotions and outer expressions. This film will make you believe in music in the ways we believe in fairy tales.
Eleven years earlier a brief encounter by a rock band singer/guitarist, Louis, and a concert cellist, Lyla, the beautiful and truly talented Keri Russell, leads to a marvelous night for a moon dance upon a roof top overlooking the Arch in New York. Her father unhappy of her escapades that evening takes her back to Chicago causing the meeting of the two parted souls the next day at the Arch to never happen. As time unfolds for Lyla so does the fact that just one brief encounter can cause a life time commitment. But after an accident and a brief hospital stay for Lyla, her father decides to take matters in his own hands. Forging her signature, lying to his daughter that the child she was carrying died and leaving the newborn to be put up for adoption.
Present time at the Walden County Home for Boys, Evan, phenomenally played by a Freddie Highmore a flashback to Haley Joel Osment, dreams of one day reuniting with the parents he never got to know. During a brief encounter with Richard from child services he informs Evan that "there's a whole world out there with millions of wind chimes" which leads this young man to pursue his dreams. After walking and hitching is way throughout the cold winter weather, Evan lands in New York City following the sounds in search of his parents. He befriends a young street performer, Arthur, beautifully played by Leon G. Thomas III, who eventually introduces him to the Wizard, quite a dark character for Williams. Which leads the story line into a bit of a modern day "Oliver Twist" with Williams reflecting the role of Fagin. Once Wizard discovers Evans true born talents he soon exploits him for labor and money, changing the boys name from Evan Taylor, the run away, to August Rush, the musical prodigy.
By this time Louis is starting over in San Francisco from leaving his band and Lyla is in Chicago teaching. Neither of the two pursuing their true talents in the world of music. But as we all know in this life, that as large as the world may be, in reality it is honestly quite small. What is meant to be will be and fate has a way of making lost situations once again become found and lies and deceit to be revealed. No one should have the right to make choices for any one else especially like the one Lyla's father made for her eleven years earlier. At least on his death bed he confesses the truth that her son never died but still lives somewhere. Sad what some parents will do for their own child thinking it is right but of course wrong.
Lyla, returns to New York to search for her son and also decides to once again perform after eleven years for the Philharmonic. Louis finds his way back to his music with the band and decides to try and find his one true love, Lyla. At this time Evan, now known as August, befriends a young singer with a voice of an angel and her church Reverend. The Reverend after discovering the boy's talents decides to introduce him to the school of Julliard as a young prodigy. The school soon asks August the honor of conducting his written composition in Central Park to an audience of thousands.
The paths cross of the three main characters like that of ones fingers across piano keys all creating the right sound but not quite the final song. "Never quit in your music, escape in it" and life will lead you in the right direction. "The music is all around us, all you have to do is listen". In the final scene of this brilliantly written, directed, acted, incredibly rock, gospel, classical scored film that is a must see by all we will learn that if we fill our souls with music the world will be a better place, achieving our true destination. Even though the story line may be somewhat predictable this film will make you smile, cry and believe that every sound has it's place and meaning in the world. It is worthy of a second visit and a definite for your future DVD collection.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.