AUGUST RUSH
RYAN: Happy Thanksgiving!! I am absolutely energized by the film we just saw.
CAROLINE: It’s “August Rush” and it made me cry like a little baby.
RYAN: I so enjoyed watching you cry. I even teared up m’self. This movie has brilliant performances across the board, but the greatest star of this film is the music. And we were lucky enough to attend a screening with Sherri Shepherd and Joy Behar of “The View,” as well as Joan Allen.
CAROLINE: “August Rush” stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Freddie Highmore and Robin Williams, and I don’t know what it was but I was just really in the mood for this kind of movie today. It’s completely sappy and shamelessly pulls at your heartstrings, and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
RYAN: Keep the cliches a’coming! There was something about this movie that really made me fall in love with it, and I mean love like how you could love a person.
CAROLINE: The music is unbelievable. It’s a musical, but not in the sense that people randomly burst into song throughout. Music has a huge role in the film in that everyone in it is a musician of some kind. There’s lots of great orchestral scoring as well as rock n’ roll stuff. Freddie Highmore plays an orphan who is convinced that he will find his birth parents through music. I was especially into Keri Russell’s character who’s a cellist because I played the cello in high school.
RYAN: I was really blown away by this film’s originality. It feels very unique and fresh. I had the same emotional reaction to this as I did to “Moulin Rouge!” even though it’s a completely different film. I think that’s the last time a movie really moved me as such.
CAROLINE: I cried early and often. And if you’re a woman like me, I challenge you not to cry at this movie. It’s got romance, it’s got lost love, it’s got emotion… it’s just really powerful.
RYAN: This movie is organically magical. I don’t really know what that means, but that’s how I feel. Part of it is shot in New York and it shows you sections of the city that you’ve never seen before on film. There were times where I was even thinking, “What city is this?”
CAROLINE: And there are some pivotal scenes that take place in Washington Square Park, which is fun because the arch plays a big role.
RYAN: My favorite scene is the one in Union Square. I cannot wait to get the soundtrack to this movie!
CAROLINE: Jonathan Rhys Meyers does all his own singing.
RYAN: And he looks good doin’ it. BTW Keri Russell is degorgeous!
CAROLINE: I feel like she’s having a career renaissance after “Waitress” earlier this year, and I’m pleased for her. Bottom line?
RYAN: Do yourself a favor and see this movie on the big screen because with the big sound, it’s beyond worth it. This movie has entered my top 10 films of the year. Hallelujah Kirsten Sheridan!
CAROLINE: I really loved it too, though I must admit that I could see how someone would find it maudlin and over-the-top cheesy. I certainly didn’t, but I could see how someone might. If you like romance and you’re ready for an emotional journey, I would highly recommend this film. Especially if you like music even a little bit.
RYAN: There are moments that seem implausible so you have to suspend your disbelief a little. If you’re one of those people who leaves movies saying, “That would never happen in real life!” then this might not be your favorite. (Warning to Susan and Irina.)
CAROLINE: You have to get over that though. It’s such a cute movie.
RYAN: Please “August Rush” out to see it!