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| August Rush | 
 enlarge | Actors: Freddie Highmore, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $9.62
You Save: $10.36 (52%)
Buy New from $9.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  (246 reviews)
Sales Rank: 153
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 113 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD018552D
UPC: 012569763685
EAN: 0012569763685
ASIN: B00133KFGW
Release Date: March 11, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
There?s music in the wind and sky. Can you hear it? And there?s hope. Can you feel it? The boy called August Rush can. The music mysteriously draws him, penniless and alone, to New York City in a quest to find ? somehow, someway ? the parents separated from him years earlier. And along the way he may also find the musical genius hidden within him. Experience the magic of this rhapsodic epic of the heart starring Freddie Highmore (as August), Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard and Robin Williams. "I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales," August says. Open your heart and listen. You?ll believe, too.
Amazon.com
Music has long been considered a universal language with the power to bring people together, but can the simple act of playing music possibly unite a child with a mother and father who live in two different cities and don't even know of the child's existence? Having shared one extraordinary night, classical cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and Irish singer and songwriter Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) were a union meant to be that was torn apart by circumstances and a protective father (William Sadler). After eleven years, both Lyla and Louis have given up performing only to find that they are unhappy and searching for a sense of fulfillment that will ultimately lead both artists back to music and performing. Evan (Freddie Highmore) is an 11-year old orphan who's grown up hearing music in everything around him and is convinced that his real parents want him and will find him with the help of music. Driven by his innate musical genius and a powerful compulsion to perform before the world, Evan runs away from the orphanage and is initially taken in by a street man known as Wizard (Robin Williams) who encourages his musical talent and renames him August Rush and, later, by a local priest who arranges for August to receive a Julliard education. August is a child prodigy who excels beyond even the wildest expectations and earns the opportunity of a lifetime--a chance to perform in front of an enormous audience in New York's Central Park. The question is; can his performance possibly reach the audience August really craves? While elements of this film are completely unbelievable (take August's instant prowess on the guitar or his immediate and sophisticated grasp of musical notation and musical theory), the message of the universality of music and the notion that "the music is all around us, all you have to do is listen" is both compelling and powerful. --Tami Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 241 more reviews...
 A new kind of fairytale December 2, 2008
"August Rush" is a "magic movie". It's a movie about the power of love and music, which ultimately seem much more powerful in this film than they are in real life.
The story is about Evan Taylor, a boy who lives in a home for children without parents. Evan knows that his parents are out in the world, though, and he desires to find them, through the power of music, which he says they "gave to him". And indeed, this music is very powerful as he sets out on a journey to find his parents--just two people--in New York City.
If I told anymore, I would give a lot of the story away. So I'll just say, this movie is a feel-good film. Practical thinkers probably won't enjoy it as much, since there isn't much practicality in it. It's a Hollywood movie to the core--true, deep love is portrayed as a one night stand, and events take place that would never happen in the real world. But that's what movies--and music--is for, right? To transport viewers and listeners to a different world. And if so, "August Rush" does a pretty good job of it.
(I also like to add in a bit about content in the films I review. As a 16-year-old Christian girl, I always appreciate reviews that shed some light on the objectionable content in a film. So below is a summary of things parents might want to take into consideration.)
Love between two people in this film is portrayed as one night together on a rooftop of New York under the stars. You never actually see anything, but you know they did more than kiss because the girl is pregnant later on. All you see are the two of them lying on a couch on the roof in each other's arms.
A few d-words are spoken, mostly by a little boy. God's name is used in vain a few times. If you watch the deleted scenes, there is one that shows a character yelling out God's name and the d-word at a little kid.
The character played by Robin Williams is a little threatening at times. While he "cares" for the street kids, his character doesn't really come across as caring. Instead, he seems like a greedy, abusive sort of man. You wonder if it was supposed to be implied that he was on drugs. Either that, or the dude was just kinda doodly in the head.
 August Rush December 2, 2008
I have a daughter who is a music teacher and has had underpriviledged children in her care. I thought this movie was excellent for all ages. Also, I am a mentor for teenage moms and what a responsibility. Life is so precious, especially our young ones. Although this story is of different background thna I relate to previously, it is truly a heartwarming and lovely movie of courage and love.
great movie December 1, 2008
This is a great urban type of fairytale story . The music really sets this tale apart from others like it. Really worth watching
Uniquely Composed November 30, 2008
Have you ever stopped and listened to the sounds all around you? Did you hear the crickets, the wind chimes, the sounds of the wind? They create music, a symphony when all is put together. It is so beautiful and majestic. Even taking in the scenery that paints pictures before you, can add to the wonders of the natural sounds. August Rush (2007) is the perfect movie to turn your attention to these everyday surroundings. Not only is it a movie of music and the power it holds, but it is also a movie of love, whether it be romantic love, friendly love, or the love of a family. August Rush has it. Its story line is unique, and is harmoniously constructed.
I give a great deal of credit to the writers, James V. Hart (screenplay), Nick Castle (screenplay and story), and Paul Castro (story). I applaud the producers, the crew behind the movie, and the director, Kirsten Sheridan. There were many camera angles used; most were close-ups, but some long shots were included. There was a scene at the beginning of the film where both of these types of shots were shown. Lyla Novacek, (Keri Russell), and Louis Connelly, (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), just met on the rooftop of a building, and the close-ups of their faces showed sparkles in their eyes, they both looked happy and free. In this same scene, a long shot showed a man walking, later to be revealed as Wizard, (Robin Williams), on the sidewalk beneath them playing a harmonica. The camera was zoomed out and in when necessary, and used in so many different angles. At one point the camera zoomed out rapidly from a close-up on Russell, when she thought she saw her son. The watcher could really get a feel for the characters throughout the movie.
It was great to see the way the music carried emotions, the lighting formed a scene or character, and the shots told the viewer what to think and feel about what was being shot. The different sets, especially the broken down theater, proved that the props and sets were well thought about. The costumes were mainly modern day, and the accents of the actors fit who they were described to be. For example, Louis was an Irish character, and that's just the accent he carried. Symbolism came with the moon and music, which was the connection between Evan Taylor, (Freddie Highmore), Lyla, and Louis. Wizard said a quote in the movie that revealed the role symbolism played in this particular film. He said, "Music is...God's little reminder there's something else besides us in this universe. Harmonic connection between all living beings everywhere, even the stars." The setting took place in numerous cities. They were, San Francisco, Chicago, and a few different cities in New York, all mentioned in the movie at least once.
The movie started out with capturing the viewer as, Evan Taylor/August Rush, spoke while only a black screen showed. He was an orphan who believed the music talked to him. He even ran away from the orphanage because "the music told him to." He was on the search of his parents, listening to the music to find his way. Along the way, he met a boy named Arthur X, (Leon G. Thomas III), who introduced Evan to Wizard. After discovering the musical prodigy that Evan was, and fearing that he would be taken away, Wizard gave Evan Taylor the name of August Rush. August continued his journey with the help of other characters throughout the film. As he searched for Lyla, his mother, she, soon after, began the search for him, and Louis, his father, began the search for her. The movie shows these three different lives and how they are intertwined. Richard Jeffries, (Terrance Howard), winds up playing a big part in the paths of these characters. August's life and search was the main focus though. His search revealed yet another symbol, a necklace, which symbolized that he was on the right track in his journey.
This original script will fill you with emotion, questions, and even wonder. Lie back, and let the music take you away in this hope filled, love story. Discover how a necklace showed that August was on the right track. Embrace new levels of imagination as music brings magic to the film and opens you up to ideas you never thought possible. Answer your own questions: Are Lyla, Louis, and August ever connected together? Does the music bring them to the end of their search on a high note? Follow the music and find out for yourself in August Rush.
The best movie of the year!!! November 29, 2008
Beautiful story in every way! So what if it was completely improbable. Maybe we could just look at this as a fantasy and sit back and enjoy the story and incredible music that comes along with the package.
Also, Freddie Highmore was adorable in this film. He is such a talented actor.
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