August Rush

August Rush is modest movie, a fantasy of sorts, and great movie for
the holidays.  Entertaining, great music, light drama, predictable
script and happy ending.  So what makes this a movie you'd like to
see?  It brings some attention on the conditions of children left to
their own in the streets of big cities, and how that are easy to use
and manipulate.  In a no comedy role, Robin Williams plays the villain
but not a villain you'll really hate.  He has a purpose in music and a
disdain for the Establishment but at the same time will want to reap
the benefit of the talent of our protagonist played by Freddie
Highmore...almost like the old Freddie Bartholomew characters, whom
Williams ( the Wizard) names "August Rush".  August was the product of
a one night stand of two musical people from two different worlds.
Lyla and progeny of Julliard ( Keri Russell) and Louis Connelly
(Jonathan Rhys Meyers) have meet near Central Park, while she is
attending a party after a recital.  They have a magic night of nights
and promise to meet again, but before that can happen the father
rushes Lyla away and later we find out that she is pregnant with
August.
When an accident almost claims the life of Lyla, she loses the baby!
Her father of course has forged her name and has given it to adoption.

So the movie starts with a dialog of August in the orphanage.  There
is a little dialog with a social worker played by Terrance Howard,
that will come back later in the movie that adds a little touch.
August believes and can not be persuaded even when threaten with
violence , that his parents are alive and that he can find them with
music.  Running away to New York, events unfold all having to do with
music that help to discover his music genius.

August Rush is more fantasy than real life.  Entertaining, good music,
funny street scenes in New York, and of course some magical times as
August's music genius is discovered and allowed to play out.  A love
story that spans a dozen years that can't be broken. I remember all to
well when someone asks August what his greatest goal in music would
be, and he humbly answers " to be found".  Of course he is referring
to his parents that only he believes are alive.  I can relate to that
after spending 3 plus years in foster care only to have my mother
finally come one day and pick me up.  Instead of being threatened will
violence to go to sleep at night I had some one tell me how precious I
was and they loved me!  Many people take that for granted in a home.
When missing in a home it can give great cause for celebration when it
does arrive.  Being loved is a strange but necessary part of life.
Why we all crave that is mystery but it seems to suit our species and
people are known to die quickly when it is absent or taken away.  This
movie is a testament to love that spans many years.  A common story
that needs to be told again and again in as many ways as we can find.
Not your "A" movie but entertaining and a delight for the season.