Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageAugust Rush (2007)
Director: Kirsten Sheridan
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
User reviews of this film
-
- 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!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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! - Report as inappropriate
-
- 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.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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
- Report as inappropriate
-
- will deng said...
- Posted on Mar 17 2008 10:44 great movie,the music ,the plot just like a candid fable
- Report as inappropriate
-
- ba ba said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 16:14 hi
- Report as inappropriate
-
- shannon-anne said...
- Posted on Jan 25 2008 18:45 is this ne gwd?
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- 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. - Report as inappropriate
-
- 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 - Report as inappropriate
-
- 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.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- paula said...
-
Posted on Dec 05 2007 19:57
oh and i forgot to put a rating...
... definately a 5!!! - Report as inappropriate
-
- paula said...
- Posted on Dec 05 2007 19:55 such a sweet film, even the bloke i went to watch it with enjoyed it!!! brilliant music, just an all-round good film, well worth seeing!!!
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Producer: Richard Barton Lewis
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, William Sadler full cast
Genre(s): Drama
Rated: PG
Duration: 100 mins
UK Release: Nov 23 2007
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Hippies who work for The Man
To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within
Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies
Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe
Grant Heslov: interview
Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Michael Jackson's This Is It: review
Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas
Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace
From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'
Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her
How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life
Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now