I liked everything about this movie except the way the screenplay was written. The writer included a hodgepodge of dramatic elements to make the story intriguing, but failed to arrange them in an interesting fashion. I was never drawn in to the story, so when the characters suffered I watched without interest. The acting was good, and I really appreciated the focus on cultural traditions. I wish there were more films like this one. The musical heritage receives proper treatment, and most of the music is sung by actors who are not professional musicians, giving it a feeling of authenticity. Watch this film if you have nothing better to do, but don't expect to pummeled by gut wrenching drama.
Reviews
4 Reviews
August Rush
(2007)
Excellent! A love story for lovers of life.
25 November 2007
August Rush is a modern-themed story about the power of a life force flowing through all of us and how synchronicity, faith and self-assuredness guarantee that each of us can personally fulfill our destiny. Although this film plays well to a broad audience, it is very mystical and based on simple, yet emotional themes that will play flat to some movie-goers.
If you have strong parental feelings or enjoy movies centered on the power of human love and attraction, this story will move you like few films ever have. Great for families- it's completely devoid of explicit scenes that make parents squirm and carries a positive message. Similarly, if you prefer uplifting stories championing the resilience of the human spirit, you'll love it. I gave the film a 10 for that reason- it will remain a personal favorite for years to come. However, if you are easily bored with themes that are lacking in danger and suspense or prefer gritty true-to-life movies, this one may come off as a disappointment.
The screenplay seems written as a spiritual message intimating that there is an energy field that connects all of life, and music is one of the domains available to any who care to experience it.
The plot is simple but deep in implication- an orphaned boy wants to reunite with his parents and feels that his inherited musical genius can somehow guarantee their return. Meanwhile, both parents languish in separation, fate having split them as quickly as it united them in parenthood. Neither know they are parents (see movie for explanation). The film itself was accomplished with imaginative directing and is studded with vivid imagery that punctuates the emotional ebb and flow of the story.
I liked the music, which was richly textured in genre, ranging from classical elements to a folksy modern collection of songs that were tastefully presented by some of the leading cast members. Music is the center-piece of this film, and it works.
I thought the casting was excellent, although none of characters really stood out from the others. Robin Williams plays an antagonistic role, delivering a smashing performance as an orphaned street-wise survivor of enormous depth and understanding, but tragically maligned by a life of rejection. This is a midrange performance by Williams, not the quiet and subdued moodiness of Good Will Hunting, nor the over-animated Morky style. He gives interesting color and charm to a darker figure synchronistically woven into the lives of his fellow cast members. Bravo! Young Freddie Highmore is sharp and charming, though narrow in expression. Just as expected, his natural charisma shines through in a most refreshing manner. Parents Keri Russell and Johnathan Rhys Meyers each lend flawless performances in captivating resonance with the other actors and the film itself. They are interesting and believable. Terrence Howard plays a small but significant part and underacts as well as Kingsly or Gielgud. Excellent! Leon G. Thomas III and Jamia Simone Nash (children) both earn honorable mention. This movie treads on every heartstring. I loved its invitation to believe in the extraordinary miracles of everyday life. Take your kids, your significant other, your parents, or any friend. It is August and will give you a very pleasant Rush. Sit back, breath deep, and get riveted!
If you have strong parental feelings or enjoy movies centered on the power of human love and attraction, this story will move you like few films ever have. Great for families- it's completely devoid of explicit scenes that make parents squirm and carries a positive message. Similarly, if you prefer uplifting stories championing the resilience of the human spirit, you'll love it. I gave the film a 10 for that reason- it will remain a personal favorite for years to come. However, if you are easily bored with themes that are lacking in danger and suspense or prefer gritty true-to-life movies, this one may come off as a disappointment.
The screenplay seems written as a spiritual message intimating that there is an energy field that connects all of life, and music is one of the domains available to any who care to experience it.
The plot is simple but deep in implication- an orphaned boy wants to reunite with his parents and feels that his inherited musical genius can somehow guarantee their return. Meanwhile, both parents languish in separation, fate having split them as quickly as it united them in parenthood. Neither know they are parents (see movie for explanation). The film itself was accomplished with imaginative directing and is studded with vivid imagery that punctuates the emotional ebb and flow of the story.
I liked the music, which was richly textured in genre, ranging from classical elements to a folksy modern collection of songs that were tastefully presented by some of the leading cast members. Music is the center-piece of this film, and it works.
I thought the casting was excellent, although none of characters really stood out from the others. Robin Williams plays an antagonistic role, delivering a smashing performance as an orphaned street-wise survivor of enormous depth and understanding, but tragically maligned by a life of rejection. This is a midrange performance by Williams, not the quiet and subdued moodiness of Good Will Hunting, nor the over-animated Morky style. He gives interesting color and charm to a darker figure synchronistically woven into the lives of his fellow cast members. Bravo! Young Freddie Highmore is sharp and charming, though narrow in expression. Just as expected, his natural charisma shines through in a most refreshing manner. Parents Keri Russell and Johnathan Rhys Meyers each lend flawless performances in captivating resonance with the other actors and the film itself. They are interesting and believable. Terrence Howard plays a small but significant part and underacts as well as Kingsly or Gielgud. Excellent! Leon G. Thomas III and Jamia Simone Nash (children) both earn honorable mention. This movie treads on every heartstring. I loved its invitation to believe in the extraordinary miracles of everyday life. Take your kids, your significant other, your parents, or any friend. It is August and will give you a very pleasant Rush. Sit back, breath deep, and get riveted!
Lions for Lambs
(2007)
Robert Redford scores a direct hit. Bang!
9 November 2007
This movie is a heart wrenching social essay that every American is duty bound to watch. Slightly under-directed, the story plays out with realistic gravity and delivers a solid punch to the viewer's solar plexus, forcing us as an audience to weigh in on our accountability for decisions (right or wrong) made by our elected leadership. In spite of its unmistakable rooting in socio-political commentary, the writing is painfully excellent. While playing off several social fronts at once, the writer avoids a common pitfall of literal, highlighted anti-war slogans by camouflaging universally sensitive themes in metaphoric, humanitarian stories of everyday American life.
Tom Cruise proves that he is the best man in Hollywood to cast as a slick and shiny career politician who is skillfully ambitious and superbly superficial. The writers gave him a golden script dripping with Madison Avenue tag lines and he delivers it with his half-a-billion dollar smile and gleam. His linchpin role is a career high (I'm not a Tom Cruise fan).
Meryl Streep shoulders the weight of America's conscience, reconciling years of journalistic compromise with the dilemma of modern citizenship as she squares off with the bloody truthfulness of our current foreign quagmire. She is Meryl Streep- enough said.
Meanwhile, Robert Redford plays the soft but weathered role of philosophic patriarch as he craftily builds a very tall and impenetrable wall around those of us that would try to escape an agonizing war-time reality that cannot be shaken, dismissed or rationalized.
Redford has given 2007 what Al Gore gave to 2006. This film was brilliantly conceived and professionally executed. Don't miss it.
Tom Cruise proves that he is the best man in Hollywood to cast as a slick and shiny career politician who is skillfully ambitious and superbly superficial. The writers gave him a golden script dripping with Madison Avenue tag lines and he delivers it with his half-a-billion dollar smile and gleam. His linchpin role is a career high (I'm not a Tom Cruise fan).
Meryl Streep shoulders the weight of America's conscience, reconciling years of journalistic compromise with the dilemma of modern citizenship as she squares off with the bloody truthfulness of our current foreign quagmire. She is Meryl Streep- enough said.
Meanwhile, Robert Redford plays the soft but weathered role of philosophic patriarch as he craftily builds a very tall and impenetrable wall around those of us that would try to escape an agonizing war-time reality that cannot be shaken, dismissed or rationalized.
Redford has given 2007 what Al Gore gave to 2006. This film was brilliantly conceived and professionally executed. Don't miss it.
The Cave of the Yellow Dog
(2005)
Elegant, honest and transforming
14 February 2007
Through the lens of a native from Mongolia and the mindful hearts of the people in the story, one is transfixed by the dignity of the this world. As an American, I have never experienced such simple artistry in a film.
The children are extraordinary in their candid roles. The natural family dynamics work so much better than most theatrics. It took tremendous courage to follow real people in their daily lives in order to create a story; proving that plot and special effects often get in the way of artistic subtleties.
This is a film treasure because it captures the heart in an effort to open a window to a fading way of sustainable life.
The children are extraordinary in their candid roles. The natural family dynamics work so much better than most theatrics. It took tremendous courage to follow real people in their daily lives in order to create a story; proving that plot and special effects often get in the way of artistic subtleties.
This is a film treasure because it captures the heart in an effort to open a window to a fading way of sustainable life.
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