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August Rush (2007)

Director: Kirsten Sheridan

Time Out rating

Average user rating

21 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

This inspirational drama gets three stars for oddity value alone. A celestial trumpet for the need to follow your star so old-fashioned it’s postmodern, the latest feature from Jim Sheridan’s daughter stars doe-eyed Freddie Highmore (‘Finding Neverland’) as a 12-year-old, orphaned musical prodigy searching for his parents in a New York populated by characters straight out of ‘Oliver Twist’. Certain that his parents are alive, little Evan Taylor escapes his upstate orphanage, determined to compose a piece in the Big Apple knowing that – to adapt ‘Field of Dreams’ – if they (his parents, played by Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) hear it, they will come. Wisely, Sheridan nurtures a commendable, sobering Lasse Hallström-lite realism in the acting – only letting Robin Williams hang himself as the modern Fagin figure. Most impressive, however, is how Sheridan has modelled such a highly sophisticated cinematic correlative to the script’s twin themes of synchronicity and music. It provides a genuine aesthetic climax unaffected by the sentimentality of the film’s fundamentally fake, born-again philosophy.

Author: Wally Hammond

Time Out London Issue 1944: November 20-26 2007

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User reviews of this film

Robert Thornton said...

Posted on Jan 15 2011 09:33 Sorry but I couldn't take more than 20 minutes, just too nice and scmaltzy (can't stand Rhys Meyers).

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Kyle said...

Posted on Apr 05 2009 04:24 Shame on those who poo-poo this film as being schmalzy or sacharine! This is a modern parable that resonates deeply with me on so many levels. It's not realistic? I'm sorry, I live reality! I want music in my life, and this film's got it!

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Kaitlin said...

Posted on Nov 30 2008 20:16 This movie is very special to me, my son, is even named after it. The story of a family finding a way to be together despite what others thought or told them just proves that fate and destiny really do exist. Amazing, powerful and everlasting. A must see movie that truely touched my heart.

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fashion said...

Posted on Nov 18 2008 09:53 This movie made me cry. What made me tear up was when he was playing guitar's with his dad and didn't even realize that their related. One thing about this movie that i didn't like was the ending, i wanted to see the mom explain to the father that he had a son.
Man i hope that have a part 2 this move.
... I give this movie a 5 star!

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choppe said...

Posted on Jul 16 2008 09:40 One of the best movies i have ever seen and would remember for ever.. very touching and the combination of classical and rock music is brilliant. Thanks for producing such a great movie.

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bob said...

Posted on Apr 01 2008 02:23 music was great but the director should have been replaced after five minuts, along with edeitora they screwed a good movie,it seemeed like most of the time actors did not know what director wanted from them excetion of robin williamd and freddie highmore

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Reg Atkins said...

Posted on Mar 27 2008 08:57 Simply the best film i have seen for thirty+ years and only the second i have wanted to see for a third time. It has the same haunting feeling that The Searchers gave with an epic John Wayne performance. I believe this film will also be seen as a classic 70+ years after its release

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will deng said...

Posted on Mar 17 2008 10:44 great movie,the music ,the plot just like a candid fable

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ba ba said...

Posted on Jan 26 2008 16:14 hi

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shannon-anne said...

Posted on Jan 25 2008 18:45 is this ne gwd?

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Georgia said...

Posted on Jan 24 2008 01:17 They're still showing it at the O2 Centre, Finchley Road if you want to see it again!

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Janis Sharp said...

Posted on Dec 20 2007 22:41 Oops! I forgot to rate the best film I've seen in years.
Top Marks for August Rush.

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Janis Sharp said...

Posted on Dec 20 2007 22:37 One of the Best Films I've ever seen. Brilliant acting. Very Moving Story. Original & Wonderful music. This Film Made me cry. I Would watch again and again if I could find just one cinema in London currently showing it. This film is being ignored and given no push whatsoever by the media but everyone I know that's seen it absolutely Loves it. Musicians Love it, Romantics Love it, people love it.
The Combination of Brilliant Acting, inspiring classical music & heartfelt rock music, all brought to life by a Sensitive Irish Female Director who knows how to bring the best out of the gifted cast & crew, ensures that the heartstrings are well & truly pulled.
Go and see this wonderful film if you can find any cinema that is showing it.
Janis

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Dan said...

Posted on Dec 09 2007 23:36 A film that can evoke feelings like this one makes you realise what we live for. This is one of the best films i have ever, and will ever see. I cannot thank the producer enough for creating such an amazing experience.

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paula said...

Posted on Dec 05 2007 19:57 oh and i forgot to put a rating...
... definately a 5!!!

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