2008 Woodie Awards
Music brings unity in modern 'Oliver Twist'
Myra Marquez
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Entertainment
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The story begins with a young boy, played by Freddie Highmore, who grew up in an orphanage and never loses hope of finding his parents. He said he believes in music the way some people believe in fairytales and plans to use the gift of music he believes came from his mother and father to locate them.
We are then taken into a flashback where we meet a beautiful yet sheltered cellist named Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) who falls in love one night with an Irish rock star named Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).
Because of various circumstances and misunderstandings, the lovers are separated and Novacek is separated from her baby when she gives birth.
Eleven years later, after escaping from the orphanage, August finds himself alone and lost in New York City fascinated with the music all around him.
He soon finds shelter in an abandoned theater that houses many homeless kids and is run by Maxwell "Wizard" Wallace.
This film has a modern "Oliver Twist"-style plot in the way Robin Williams plays Wizard as a Fagin-like character except the kids are all gifted musicians and not thieves.
Wizard takes advantage of the kid's talents by making them play music in the streets for money; he basically runs a business with them. Wizard comes up with the artistic name August Rush and helps unleash the musical prodigy asleep within him.
As the movie progresses, August is discovered by a minister and taken to the dean of Julliard to study music.
It is here the child musical genius begins to write a song.
Although it can be a little cliché at times and the plot a little predictable, "August Rush" is full of such joy and beautiful music ranging from classical, gospel, rock and is sure to keep audiences at the edge of their seats.
There is also a special performance by Jamia Simone Nash, an 11-year-old girl who plays the character of Hope and captivates the audience with her soulful voice.
In "August Rush," Highmore proves yet again that he is one of the most promising child stars of today.
Audiences can expect to see more of him in the upcoming movie, "The Spiderwick Chronicles," where he is the protagonist as twins Jared and Simon Grace.
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