Are You Listening To The Music?

Occasionally in these entries about the writing life, I write about a recent movie. For weeks, my wife and I have watched the trailer in the theaters of August Rush. From the first time we saw it, this movie looked like one we wanted to make sure and see. The tag line for the movie says, "The Music Is Everywhere. All You Have To Do Is Listen." In a word, this movie delivers on the promise and is well-worth adding to your movie plans.

Last Saturday night, we caught a "sneak preview" of August Rush and every seat in the theater was filled. For almost two hours, we were held spellbound with this moving story. Two musicians meet and spend a night together (which is tastefully portrayed). Lyla is pregnant and goes into labor. Her controlling father implies the baby died but actually he forged her signature on the adoption papers. Eleven years later when the father goes into the hospital and is dying, he tells his daughter that her son is alive. It sets her on a search for her son. Three strands of human experience are woven into a rich storytelling experience.

Evan Taylor searches for himself and his parents. In many ways I saw the story parallel to the parable Jesus told about The Prodigal Son--yet in modern day circumstances and situations. I was fascinated with the experience of Evan and his genius talent with music. For any film like August Rush, powerful screenwriting is the foundation and this movie has such power. Original music is woven into the storytelling and combined with solid acting. It's a film that I will want to see several times in the days ahead.