August Rush

Here’s a film appropriately titled for the beginning of August…

Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is a young orphan who hears music in the sounds all around him, from the wind to the city streets. Convinced that his parents are out there somewhere and that music is the thread connecting them, Evan runs away from his group home and finds himself alone in New York City. Before long he falls under the influence of a manipulative street musician (Robin Williams) who recognizes Evan’s musical talents and tries to exploit them.

Meanwhile, Evan’s mother quietly searches for the child she didn’t realize was alive, and his father searches for the woman he lost touch with over a decade ago. As Evan’s musical gift begins drawing the attention of some of the city’s finest musicians, the lives of all three slowly begin to converge.

August Rush is a warmhearted film that asks viewers to believe in the almost magical power of music, hope, and the bonds of family. The film treats music as something close to transcendent, connecting souls in ways that words cannot. The film is rated PG, but parents should be aware that the story is set in motion by a night of premarital intimacy between the two lead characters, though it is implied rather than shown.

Runtime: 1 hour, 54 minutes
Rated PG
USCCB rating: A-II
IMDb Parents Guide
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