August Rush

August Rush

This movie starts in an orphanage. I found myself thinking as it started, “Wouldn’t it be nice if someone made movies that affirmed the potential for people to make something of their lives? Something positive?” And I found myself watching the most moving film that I have seen in many years.

Predictable? Sure. Implausible in many places? Absolutely. Too many coincidences? Beyond any doubt. I will take as many more movies like this as I get.

I don’t want to give it away, so I will tell you that the themes include: The power of a mother’s love. The importance of a family. The need to belong. And how sometimes, something wonderful can come from a mistake. The power of music to move us.

I confess that I am a sentimental person, and this isn’t the first movie that has made me cry. If August Rush doesn’t make you cry with joy, there isn’t a movie that will. This is one of a small number of movies that I have seen on airplane, and found myself saying, “I am going to rent this when I get home, and watch it again.”