Enjoying music seems to be hardwired into our brains. The wild success of the iPod is strong testimony that everyone loves music. I have yet to meet someone who does not like to listen to melodic sounds. August Rush is a 10-year old boy stuck in an orphanage somewhere just outside of New York City. He deciphers music in the many regular sounds of everyday life.  He also believes that he can hear musical messages from his parents. His fellow orphans think that August is just a freak.  One day August decides to hitchhike to Manhattan to look for his parents. Within 24 hours August morphs into a child prodigy who would have given young Mozart a run for his money. For once I can give away how the story ends: happily. Repeatedly deus ex musica comes to aid the plot. All the stars align perfectly at every single juncture to bring the story to the one conclusion that was possible in a universe ruled by a micro-managing, all-powerful, music-loving God: August is reunited with his parents on the lawn of Central Park.  While story in the film is ridiculous, the film’s music, mixing rock, folk and classical sounds, is wonderful.

August is reunited with his parents on the lawn of Central Park.  While story in the film is ridiculous, the film