August Rush: Of Course, It's A Fantasy

Posted at 03:10, 2007-Nov-29 in Movie Madness

When we go to movies, we must remember that everything has its own place. These places can be labeled as genres and we can put everything into a genre; music, movies, books, standards, beliefs - the list goes on. I say this because there are too many critics that don’t take things for what they are.

August Rush, is an excellent example of this. Although Kristen Sheridan (In America) had taken on the project of this dream come true kind of movie, she must have known what she was getting herself into. Yes, she was trying to tug at your heartstrings. Yes, she was aware of what type of story this was going to be. Most of all, she knew exactly who would enjoy this type of movie.

Many critics have written their opinions that unfortunately only liken to being gagged with sentiment or dying a slow death. Harsh as these reviews have been, much of their words have truth in it. However, knowing that people have different preferences, I encourage you to find out what this movie personally brings to you.

August Rush is the tale of a young orphan boy (Freddie Highmore) whose only desire is to be found by his parents, a young gifted cellist (Keri Russell) and a romantic Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). He believes that they will find him if he plays the music he hears everywhere around him.

I must say that the casting director did a very good job with putting together this attractive family. We are lucky enough to have another movie to showcase Highmore’s talent and angelic face. (Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory just wasn’t enough.) He is a realistic creation of Meyers and Russell with those soft features. Russell is also perfect with her eyes of purity to play the intelligent yet delicate Lyla and you can’t help but drool over Meyers’ good looks; Perfect for a sensitive rock star.

However, the story itself isn’t as realistic. Russell and Meyers’ characters meet each other on a rooftop and immediately fall in love while hearing someone play “Moondance” on the harmonica. Russell never sees Meyers again because of her strict and overprotective father and Meyers’ character is heartbroken. Years pass with Russell’s character having been with child. Unfortunately, Russell’s father in the movie (William Sadler) secretly gives the child away after she is involved with in a car accident. Without either person knowing about the child’s existence, Russell’s character is depressed with the loss of her son and Meyers is just as upset with his loss of his true love and has given up on music.

Sheridan does have obvious strategies to make you shed at least one tear, but that’s okay. The way she does it with combining both nature and two different genres of music (classical and rock) is a pleasant metaphor for her characters’ storyline. The music is there to give you the suspense and original score composer Mark Mancina does a great job with it. After falling in love with Highmore’s character, it’s not hard to fall in love with Russell and Meyers’ either, even if the story could never happen.

That’s also exactly what makes this movie its own. Sure, you may think this doesn’t even compare to Mr. Holland’s Opus, but it’s not trying to be that movie. Some might say there's not enough "twist" for this "Oliver" story, but it’s just another tale that gives you hope through music. It’s not tugging at your heart for the number one spot.

If it’s not realistic to you as a viewer, then put it in the fantasy genre. (Effects with nature and coincidence give the atmosphere a supernatural feeling.) This movie is somewhat an urban fairytale. Is it any better now? Whatever your answer may be, just remember that everyone has grown up with Disney’s fairytales. You don’t see everyone knocking the Cinderella story.

Hollywood is its own magical world and you just find whatever story suits you. It’s not always a sin to take things for what they are. If you enjoy syrupy storylines, this movie is for you. If you don’t, then at least Robin Williams and Terrance Howard’s characters may surprise you. In the end, this movie can't go wrong at a family function.

- sl

The World & Across the Universe

Posted at 08:20, 2007-Oct-16 in Movie Madness

“What’s with kids listening to music before their time?” This is a question many adults ask about the young crowd nowadays and it is also one that my friend’s father has asked me. I am constantly mentally making a list of movies that my friend should go see simply because of the fact that she never does. So after seeing Across the Universe, I find myself at her house simply raving about the movie which uses music from The Beatles nonetheless.

Her father is right. It’s been decades since Beatlemania but those fans have had children who have children. Then not surprisingly, those children have children who also love the cherished music created by Paul, John, George, and Ringo. Yes, there are many covers – perhaps too many covers – of Beatles songs today but it is the familiar melody line and lyrics of each song that keep the music alive. The song may have a different beat or a tempo but once you hear a familiar riff or a line you have heard before, whatever song it may be it has its original roots.

So when Across the Universe, the film, was released in a theater near me (and it wasn’t very near at first) I was very curious to see how the musical had an effect on myself as well as other Beatles fans. Directed by Julie Taymor and written by both Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, one has the right to be a skeptic about this film before they see it. Let's see, hippies, politics, love... It's the movie, Hair. I, personally, hoped that this wasn’t another stereotypical hippie and politics film.

My hopes for this movie to be a great musical movie were pleasantly surpassed. The story starts in the early 1960’s and introduces the viewers to a young man named Jude (Jim Sturgess) who moves from his hometown, none other than Liverpool, to America to find his American G.I father who has no idea he exists. Shortly after this family meeting, he conveniently starts a friendship with a collegiate but wild Max (Joe Anderson), and he eventually introduces Jude to his younger sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). Jude and Max befriend Sadie (Dana Fuchs), a singer that has an amazing Janis Joplin tone and her guitar player/on and off again boyfriend, JoJo (Martin Luther McCoy) who warps into a Jimi Hendrix type, along with an unexpected admirer for Sadie, Prudence (T.V. Carpio) As they do this, they find a niche in their carefree lifestyle where “music is the only thing that makes sense anymore.”

The music in this movie is produced and covered in many interesting ways. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” becomes a slow ballad sung by a lesbian cheerleader. “I’ve Just Seen A Face” is sped up and sung in a multi-colored scene that takes place at the bowling alley. Yes, these are young people singing covers but it is all executed in a very fresh and appealing manner. Sturgess’ voice is reminiscent of Ewan McGregor’s from Moulin Rouge, Anderson’s musical talent is equivalent to his charming good looks and Wood takes her role to another level as a young Hollywood actress especially when she sings “If I Fall” while she looks at Sturgess’ character (and makes out with him) from across the room.

It’s also nice to see familiar faces. Bono makes a cameo as he sings “I Am the Walrus,” but talks with a more than good southern accent and balances it with such a drugged up persona that there will be hilarious rounds of Oscar talks. However, my favorite surprise was Joe Cocker who appeared as three different characters (a tramp, pimp and hippie) as he sang “Come Together” while JoJo makes his entrance for the film. Other cameos viewers may love are Eddie Izzard in the most bizarre but appropriate way possible and Selma Hayek being slinky and sexy as usual.

Two main complaints about this movie as a musical are the following: 1) This is degrading the integrity of The Beatles. I couldn’t disagree more with this. They say that ultimate admiration is found in imitation. This movie is a tribute to The Beatles and to love. If I do recall correctly, I own a Beatles Love collection. Taymor beautifully converges music into the battles whether it is love or with the politics and offers you a trip into other worlds with her actors. (Once you meet Bono’s character, you’ll know what I mean.) 2) The music is an excuse for a plot that isn’t there. One word response to this: Musical. It’s a MUSICAL. The songs are the strings that pull along the script. Yes, sometimes the songs are placed in the plot in a very literal way but this is more than all right because it is a MUSICAL. Most musicals involve duets or songs that are characters’ inner thoughts and monologues. Not only do I think that this musical was put together in a very clever way from origin of the characters’ names to obvious lines that only Beatles fans can appreciate (“She came in through the bathroom window.”) but the visuals that correspond to the songs are just mind blowing. If you have never been on drugs but want to experience what it’s like, then this is the safest bet for you.

I fell in love with the voices, the characters, the story but most importantly I fell in love with the music again. Those who are just relentless and say that “nothing will ever be as good as the real thing… how could they do this?” should seriously take a breather and chill. This movie has been made, it has been seen, it has been loved, and it has served as a medium to the younger generation. So this is what I have to say to those pessimists: “Let it be.” It’s all for entertainment in the end.

- sl

Official Across the Universe website