August Rush

Bring your tissues. Bring extra hankies. Bring a towel. If this movie does not make you at least a little teary then I will hang up my keyboard and turn in my remote.

This is first and foremost a fairy tale. Don't be guiled into thinking its a slice-of-life piece, or based on something vaguely similar to a true story. It's a fantasy. No doubt its a very good one. Screen-writer Nick Castle does some great stuff (see Hook).

This story is borderline inspirational and some of the deeper, most meaningful points are placed like familiar themes in the overture of a great work. For example, and perhaps the best one at that: Music is God's little reminder that there is something else besides us in the universe - a harmonic connection between all living things - every where - even the stars. I think "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" made the same point, but I digress.

The sound track is diverse and very satisfying. Add it to your collection.

Freddie Highmore plays the son of two musicians who don't know he is even alive. He grows up in an orphanage and dreams of learning to play music so he can call out to his parents. Highmore has played some very beefy roles for his age. Pray he does not turn into Macaulay Culkin.

His parents are played by Keri Russell, who is still a face in search of talent as far as I'm concerned, and Jonathan Rhyse Meyers who has both Elvis and King Henry VIII under his young belt. They are the story, but far from making the show.

Robin Williams steals the show. Completely. His Bono-esque character is so real and so spot-on-perfect you forget it's Mork. I love this character as I have loved every "bad guy" Williams plays.

Be prepared to suspend belief for just a little while, and watch this movie with someone whom you are not embarassed to shed tears with.