August Rush

I really wanted to see this one in theaters, but with one thing and another, it never happened.

My interest had been piqued by the presence of Freddie Highmore, the British kid who’s been in everything (seemingly) since his appearance in Finding Neverland alongside Johnny Depp.

In August Rush Highmore has a pretty convincing American accent as he plays an orphaned musical prodigy who is convinced his parents are alive and out there, and that one day they’ll all be together again.

The movie also stars Robin Williams, pretty much as a baddie, who looks much like I’d imagine Bono to look in ten years time. Dublin born actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers also features as a singer songwriter.
While it is true that you have to suspend your disbelief at a few points in the movie, the musical elements (of which there are many) are brilliantly done. Some great songs and a really uplifting musical theme to the whole thing.

If you are a weeper, you WILL bawl your eyes out, but overall this is a quality movie which deserves being seen over and over.

Freddie Highmore is excellent, but my only quibbles would be some of the cello playing sequences (as a former cellist I didn’t find them convincing) and also the dvd extras are really disappointing. Would have liked more of those.

If you haven’t seen it though, you really should.