![]() ![]() Young Jamia Simone Nash steals her scenes with an angelic singing voice and commanding stage presence, while Mykelti Williamson does nicely as her father. ![]() Thomas III shines as Arthur, one of Wizard's boys who first discovers Evan, and Terrence Howard offers his usual dependable performance as the compassionate caseworker. While he preaches eloquently about hearing the music, one gets the sense that occasionally Wizard's music is the psychosis in his own mind that has betrayed him. Wizard seems to care about the boys one moment, only to become sharply punitive at the first sign of betrayal. In supporting roles, Robin Williams is mesmerizing as the closest thing "August Rush" has to a bad guy. It's easily Rhys Meyer's best work in years. Jonathan Rhys Meyers brought vividly to mind Glen Hansard's performance in this year's indie jewel "Once," with a performance as Louis that vacillates between romanticism and rage. Russell, who became a mother just this year, clearly tapped into her maternal instincts with one of 2007's gentlest, most heartwarming performances. ![]() Watching Lyla's transformation from brokenness to once again hearing the music in her life is beautiful to behold. Likewise, Keri Russell serves up her second award-worthy performance in 2007 as the heartbroken Lyla. Hart, "August Rush" benefits greatly from a delightful cast and John Mathieson's transcendent, fantasy-like camera work that perfectly complements the film's soaring emotional center.Īs Evan/August, Freddie Highmore again serves up a reminder that he's one of Hollywood's most gifted young actors in offering a performance that radiates the young man's unshakeable faith and passion and hope without ever allowing us to forget that this is an impressionable young man who simply wants to be found. Wizard, who bestows upon Evan the moniker of August Rush after he sees the name on a passing truck, quickly discovers the young man's previously undiscovered natural musical talent.ĭirected by Kirsten Sheridan (Jim's daughter and writer of "In America") based upon a script by experienced writer/director Nick Castle and James V. An encounter with a Division of Children's Services caseworker (Terrence Howard) provides him with some desperately needed hope and, in turn, Evan runs away from the Home and ends up in New York City under the guidance of the Faginesque Wizard (Robin Williams) who, like Fagin, leads a rag tag group of young street musicians with a combination of musical mentorship, tough live, emotional abuse and fear. Now a ward of the state, young Evan lives the next eleven years at the Walden County Home for Boys where he is regarded as a freak for his undying belief that his parents will find him. When her domineering father (William Sadler) keeps her from meeting him again the next night, both Lyla's and Louis's life journeys are changed forever.Ī complicated birth leads Lyla's father to forge the paperwork giving up custody of the newborn infant, while deceiving Lyla into believing the infant had not survived. In the film, Lyla (Keri Russell) is an up-and-coming cellist who ends up pregnant after a tender one-night stand with a sulking Irish rocker named Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The music is always there, for those who will listen is the central idea behind the delightfully entertaining and inspirational "August Rush," the opening night film for the 2007 Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis as it begins a brief festival run before its national release on November 21st. Can you hear the music? Perhaps you hear it in the blowing of the wind, the laughing of a child, the gentle humming of your computer or, quite literally, through the songs on the radio. ![]()
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