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Movies / On DVD / August Rush
August Rush

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August Rush (2007)

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Reviews Counted:116

Fresh:44

Rotten:72

Average Rating:4.8/10

Consensus: Though featuring a talented cast, August Rush cannot overcome the flimsy direction and schmaltzy plot.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some thematic elements, mild violence and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 21, 2007 Wide

Box Office: $31,529,568

Synopsis: AUGUST RUSH is part romance, part gentle fantasy, but this sweet drama is all heart. When young cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and rock musician Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet at a party in the mid... AUGUST RUSH is part romance, part gentle fantasy, but this sweet drama is all heart. When young cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and rock musician Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet at a party in the mid 1990s, it's love at first sight, and they spend the night in each other's arms. But Lyla's father forces them apart, even though she later learns she's pregnant. Later, an accident lands Lyla in the hospital, and though her father tells her that her baby died, the child survives and is given up for adoption. AUGUST RUSH jumps to the present and begins to follow Evan (Freddie Highmore), an 11 year old who has grown up in a boys' home. As Evan embarks on a crusade to find his parents, he imagines he can communicate with them through his gift for music. His journey to New York City brings him into contact with Wizard (Robin Williams), a man eager to capitalize on the child prodigy's talent. Wizard gives Evan the name August Rush as he begins performing all over the city, but the boy's ultimate goal is to find the parents he has never met. From FINDING NEVERLAND to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Highmore has displayed an almost prodigious talent himself. He's a gifted young actor, and this emotional story is the perfect venue for his acting. AUGUST RUSH isn't a film for the cynics, but even the hard-hearted in the audience will have difficulty not being touched by this sentimental film. As in Evan's life, music plays a central role in AUGUST RUSH, and it's tough not to let your heart soar along with the melodies. Though it could draw comparisons to OLIVER! and ANNIE, this is a unique and heartwarming film. [More]

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Robin Williams, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Robin Williams, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, William Sadler, Mykelti Williamson, Ronald Guttman

Director: Kirsten Sheridan

Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Screenwriter: Nick Castle, James V. Hart
Story: Paul Castro, Nick Castle
Producer: Richard Barton Lewis
Composer: Mark Mancina
Studio: Warner Bros.

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Mar 11, 2008

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Reviews for August Rush

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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
2.5/4

Mike Scott

A heartwarming fairy-tale that is undeniably sweet, even if it occasionally crosses over into sappiness.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 27 2009 02:43 PM

Times-Picayune

splat
3/10

Heather Huntington

"The only thing astounding about this movie is how bad it is."

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 08 2008 10:40 AM

ReelzChannel.com

splat

Thomas Peyser

"Someone in Hollywood must have it in for Thanksgiving. How else to explain the cruelly timed release of August Rush, a wretched confection that only the most determined will be able to count among their blessings?"

Full Review Source: | comment 3 Comments | May., 08 2008 02:13 PM

Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

splat
1/5

Alonso Duralde

While many films require a suspension of disbelief, August Rush asks viewers to terminate their disbelief without severance and have security escort it from the building.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 01 2008 03:41 PM

MSNBC

tomato
6/10

Jeffrey Chen

Its almost desperate earnestness actually turns out to be its greatest appeal -- August Rush does believe in fairy tales, it does it does it does!

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2008 07:06 PM

Window to the Movies

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 03 2008 03:15 AM

Boxoffice Magazine

splat
1.5/4

Mike McGranaghan

August Rush kind of feels like a 2-hour coming attractions preview. Lots of fragmented stuff happens, without ever connecting the dots in between.

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Mar., 10 2008 07:39 PM

Aisle Seat

splat
5/10

John J. Puccio

...warmly affecting at times and almost unbearably saccharine at others.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 10 2008 11:11 AM

DVDTown.com

splat

Tricia Olszewski

It doesn't matter if you love music or inspirational stories or Robin Williams (anyone?) -- this is enough to make your teeth ache.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 06 2008 04:34 PM

Washington City Paper

tomato
6/10

Brandon Fibbs

More fable than film, there is no earthly reason why August Rush should work. But it does.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2008 07:35 AM

Colorado Springs Gazette

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 22 2008 03:15 AM

Sydney Morning Herald

tomato

Urban Cinefile Critics

It's far-fetched and a leap of faith of Olympic proportions is required to keep abreast of the plot, but August Rush does deliver some charming moments, largely due to charismatic performances from Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 14 2008 09:17 PM

Urban Cinefile

tomato
8/10

Simon Thompson

Uplifting and heart warming, this is a perfect date movie.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 22 2008 02:47 AM

Heart 106.2

tomato
B

Robert Roten

A lot like a conventional musical, but the story is not conventional, it is mystically romantic.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Jan., 21 2008 12:34 PM

Laramie Movie Scope

splat
2/6

Hank Sartin

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 18 2008 03:15 AM

Time Out New York

splat
C

Bruce Bennett

The excellent actors and good music make you think the movie will get better as it progresses, but it never does.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Jan., 02 2008 04:44 PM

Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

tomato
3/5

Roger Tennis

"August Rush" is a familiar, yet entertaining experience that works mostly because of the wonderful cast and the haunting mix of music.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 12 2007 11:49 AM

Cinemaclips.com

tomato
A-

Jennifer Preyss

However predictable, a good ol' fashioned happy ending is always welcome. But bring a box of tissues: A good cry is to be expected as well.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 01 2007 05:04 AM

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

splat
2/4

Eric Lurio

If it weren't for the wonderful soundtrack, Nick Castle and James Hart's screenplay wouldn't have made it past the slush pile.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Dec., 01 2007 05:04 AM

Entertainment Insiders

splat
1/5

Matthew Turner

Nauseating drama with poor direction, dodgy performances and a sappy, cliche-laden script.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 29 2007 03:15 AM

ViewLondon

 
 
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