August Rush

To be honest, I don't have much expectation for this movie, especially after knowing the poor reviews from the critics in the States.

But that didn't stop me from seeing this movie, because everyone is unique in his own way, and so one's poison can be another one's candy.

I'm glad that I went and saw this movie, and I'm proud that I didn't trust the movie critics, and I would urge you to do the same and trust your own eyes...that includes not to believe what I'm saying here as well...

On seeing the first scene of the movie, I understand immediately why this movie was poorly received overseas... It's too surreal, sentimental, and "fairy-tale" like! "Music is all around us, all you have to do is listen..." and all we see is the title character listening to the music of nature in the centre of a wheat field blown through by the wind...

As I continued watching, I can see it's no ordinary Hollywood movie...or I should say it is actually violating every rules of the movie industry: Sensibility rather than Sense; Poetic more than Logic; Music-driven over dialogue-driven; Use of the great and able actors instead of the stars; Heart-felt rather than Brain-work (or Right Brain more than Left Brain)~~~

That explains why the critics hate it, since they concentrate on what they "see", and over-analyse it with their "brains"...

 "On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur ; l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux "

(It is only with the Heart that one can truly see; the essential is invisible to the eyes alone) 

I have to agree much with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry...Oui, les grandes personnes sont comme ca!!!

August Rush essentially is an updated modern version of the famous "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. It tells the story of an Oliver-like orphaned character Evan Taylor or August Rush (played marvelously by rising child actor Freddie Highmore) 's search for his parents (finely portrayed by Jonathan Rye Meyers and Keri Russell), and along the way befriends Artful Dodger-like young street musician who takes him under the shelter of a not-so-good Fagin-like character called Wizard (played tactfully by Robin Williams). Then to cut the story short, music and dream finally brings the long-lost three members of a family together.

In August Rush, it is indeed a tough task for the filmmakers to balance it between reality and fairy tale, sentimentality and tear-jerking, coincidence and manipulation, melodrama and MTV...it's a very fine line, I dare say. And it's relieving that they pulled it off quite well with great crafts. Thanks firstly to the wonderful ensemble cast giving such a down-to-earth and sensitive performance. They certainly did some terrific jobs in this movie by telling the story and delivering the right emotions without having too many dialogues. Freddie Highmore especially gave a compelling and sincere performance to engage the audience into this not-so-credible journey together, and make us care about him and his ultimate result of the search. 

Secondly, thanks to the careful and painstaking editing works by William Steinkamp (well-known for his works with Sydney Pollack including Toosie and Out of Africa), who combined the music and motion perfectly and fluidly, and almost fooled us into believing that Keri can play Cello and Freddie can conduct. He also cross-cut perfectly to link up the 3 different main characters' storylines and make the viewing much pleasurable.

Thirdly to the magnificent and picturesque cinematography by John Mathieson (long time collaberator with Ridney Scott and brought us Gladiator and Matchstick Men), who tremendously heightened the poetic element and fairy-tale nature of the whole picture.

Last but not least, of course, thanks especially to the music made for the movie. The music is simply another main lead character for this movie and it would be tragic if they were not done properly. In here, from the original score to the rock ballads specifically written for this movie, they fit seamlessly the emotions and stories accordingly.

For example, the song lyrics express appropriately the father's feelings. Another example would be the final August's Rhapsody performed by orchestra in the Central Park. Mark Mancina meticulously composed the music to sum up the meaningful journey of August Rush using the musical inspiration he picked up along the way. Also, the choices of Classical music for the Mother to play on Cello is carefully picked. The Bach's played at the beginning reveals her simple but well-controlled/routine life, while in the concert at the end she played Elgar's passionate Concerto showing her intense emotions of torture and loss.

Actually, at the beginning, with my left brain running, I would say it's cheesy with sugar-coating, but as time goes by, in half-way through, my left brain went numb and my right brain started to get control and I was literally drawn into the movie and music. Being both a movie lover and music lover, I find no excuse at all not to be fond of it, I have to confess~~~

Anyway, all in all, this movie is a well-crafted, finely-acted, neatly-choreographed fantasy, with plenty of sentimentality but also loads of positive energy installed. It is not only about music and love, but also about dreams and hopes, and the power of believing and positive thinking...

"Hope is all around us...all you have to do is to believe!"

May I wish you all A Hopeful New Year!