August Rush

4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (557 customer reviews)
Cared for by a mysterious stranger who gives him the name August Rush, a child uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth.
  • Starring: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell
  • Directed by: Kristen Sheridan
  • Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
  • Release year: 2007
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
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August Rush [Blu-ray]
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Product Details
Synopsis: Cared for by a mysterious stranger who gives him the name August Rush, a child uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth.
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell
Supporting actors: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams, Terrence Howard, William Sadler
Directed by: Kirsten Sheridan
Genre: Drama, Music
Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2007
Studio: Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for some thematic elements, mild violence and language (certificate no. 43048)
ASIN: B0015RFCZ0 (Rental) and B0013WI0PQ (Purchase)
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Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: November 21, 2007
  • MPAA: Rated PG for some thematic elements, mild violence and language (certificate no. 43048)
  • Production Company: Warner Bros, Southpaw Entertainment (I), CJ Entertainment
  • USA Box Office: $ 31 Million
  • Filming Locations: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA | Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA | Columbia University - Broadway & 116th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA | Muscoot Farm, Somers, New York, USA | New York City, New York, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
(557)
4.4 out of 5 stars
See all 557 customer reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 142 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Music and the Harmony of the Universe: A Film for Dreamers March 19, 2008
By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
AUGUST RUSH will not go down in history as a profound film: many will even go so far as to dismiss it as kitsch, maudlin, and a simpleton take off on 'Oliver Twist', and other pejoratives. For this viewer the little film is tender and frequently requires suspension of belief, but in the end the idea of the story does indeed bring a tear to the eye.

Based on a story by Paul Castro and Nick Castle and transformed for the screen by Castle and James V. Hart, the premise is that of a fairytale, but an unusual fairytale built around the impact of music. On one magic night in New York City classical cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and popular Irish guitarist/singer Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet on a rooftop, languishing in their own disappointments with life and finding solace in each other's arms, and that night Lyla becomes pregnant, never to see Louis again, and struggling to keep her baby despite her father's demands to abort. Lyla delivers her baby boy, but the child is immediately taken away (Lyla is told the child was stillborn). 'Evan Taylor' AKA August Rush (Freddie Highmore) is placed in an orphanage, longing for parents he believes he can 'hear' in the music of the spheres. Compelled to find his parents he escapes the orphanage after eleven years and is taken in by Faginesque Maxwell 'Wizard' Wallace (Robin Williams) who teaches his street urchins the fine art of pick pocketing and playing music on the streets as buskers. Renamed August Rush, Evan has uncommon musical talents and rapidly becomes a big money maker for Wizard while at the same time being discovered as a potential pupil for Juilliard by Reverend James (Mykelti Williamson) and his girl singer Hope (Jamia Simone Nash) with assistance from kindly social worker Richard Jefferies (Terrence Howard). August Rush composes a rhapsody that is to be played in Central Park, a chance to place his music before the world and attract his parents, both of whom have returned to music careers after eleven years absence and learn of the existence of August Rush, their 'unknown son'. And yes, the ending is a happily ever after one...

Kirsten Sheridan directs with a sure hand and a keen eye toward make believe. The cast is strong, especially Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and the musical score, a very mixed bag, provides a suitable background for the story. This is one of those movies that asks us to go along with a lot of improbable events, but the pleasure of the experience is worth the journey. Grady Harp, March 08
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Music and Love in Superb Dramatic Fantasy... July 6, 2008
By Benjamin J Burgraff VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's easy to point out the incongruities of Kirsten Sheridan's magical "August Rush"...an 11-year-old who learns guitar in one night, and piano and musical composition in another...but this is not a movie for nitpickers, but for dreamers, and all of us who hear music in everything we experience. And boy, does this film deliver!

I wasn't surprised to see Nick Castle's hand in the screenplay, as he is an old hand at finding magic in our cynical world (he wrote and directed "The Boy Who Could Fly"); here, we have the story of two incredibly gifted musicians, a Julliard-trained cellist (Keri Russell), and a self-taught Irish rock singer/composer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), who bond under the stars in New York City, then are torn apart by families with their own agendas. She carries his child, but after an accident, her ambitious father (William Sadler) steals the newborn, dumps the baby into social services, and announces to the daughter that the child had died. What is MEANT to be, never happens, the lives of both musicians unravel, and they soon give up their gifts, for mundane careers...as their unknown child (the remarkable Freddie Highmore) grows into a musical prodigy, on a mission to find them.

The bulk of the film deals with the child's search, and the remarkable people he meets along the way, from a sympathetic welfare worker (Terrence Howard), to a gifted child guitarist and his Fagin-like mentor (Leon Thomas III and Robin Williams, who is creepy, but excellent), and finally, a powerful child gospel singer, and her pastor (Jamia Simone Nash and Mykelti Williamson). Dubbed 'August Rush' by Williams, the boy harnesses his prodigious musical talents, even as his parents individually renew their own musical careers, and are drawn back to New York City, and a tear-inducing, spectacular climax. Predictable? You bet, but I dare you not to be moved, anyway!

The performances are first-rate, particularly from the child actors, and the music is awesome. This is unabashedly a 'feel-good' movie, the perfect flick to pop into the DVD player when you're feeling down.

My only real quibble is the lack of Special Features; extended scenes are all that are offered, and this is a film I'd have loved learning more about...

"August Rush" is a wonderful film that shouldn't be missed!
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Quietly Fabulous February 15, 2008
By Chuckie McDonald
Format:DVD
I didn't know what to expect with this movie. I really believed it to be a "chick-flick". I was wrong. This is an awe-inspiring movie that, I believe, most people just glossed over...a huge mistake. The critics didn't give this much of a chance...too bad for them. I found this movie to be incredible from the story line to the music to the development of the plot line. The climax was a tear jerker even though you knew all along he was going to be reunited with his parents but the process by which this happens just keeps you filled with hope. And that is the message of the movie, hope kept alive by a dream. As the song lyrics say,"Hold on tight to your dreams". Watch the movie and be throughly entertained.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Family Movie
What a great message about determination and overcoming life challenges. This movies should be retitled "Oliver Twist Meets Beethoven" as it puts a modern twist on the classic... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mark Lauria
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie
Came in great condition. I love this movie! Could watch it every night. It makes me smile!!! You should try it.
Published 4 days ago by L Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, feel-good movie
A little sappy, but the score is amazing, the characters strong enough, the plausible storyline progresses nicely to the necessary happy ending...and there's Robin Williams. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Tim LaVictoire
3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty bad movie
Schmaltzy, over-sentimental, and ridiculously far- fetched. Writing and direction felt like it was done by a 7 th grader. Really cheesy. Not a great use of my money.
Published 6 days ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie!
There's some great music in this flick which is why I also bought the sound track. Besides your basic love story, boy meets girl they fall in love. Read more
Published 9 days ago by D. Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this movie
Had to have it. All the actors are great, love the storyline, music, everything about the movie. I would tell everyone to get it.
Published 9 days ago by Marcia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie
This is a great movie. Bought it as a gift for a friend. They will love it to. Thank you.
Published 10 days ago by Our Town Video
5.0 out of 5 stars exquisite movie
watched this with friends awhile back and we were all touched by this lovely exquisite mystical film; can't wait to share it with others
Published 10 days ago by B. J. Jackman
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing movie
This is a quirky, not your typical Hollywood fare, but very enjoyable. Definitely a heart warming feel good movie. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Paul Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars movie
Great movie , saw it along time ago and just had to have it as part of my collection. Would recommend
Published 11 days ago by Tess
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Also known as 4:3 Aspect Ratio. Curious though, as I watched it in Widescreen.
Apr 4, 2012 by Thomas R. Allen |  See all 2 posts
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