What do you call that feeling, where you have no reason to believe something is true; yet, in your heart, you know it to be true? Is it deja vu, a sixth sense, or a connection that was made early on? Regardless, this film is a magical and musical urban fairy tale, that will strike a chord with the viewer. Being raised in a family of music lovers, the variety of music genres performed was in synch with my musical tastes. A young orphan and musical  prodigy, August Rush played by Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland), believes his parents are alive. He has no reason to believe this is true; but, feels he can hear them and if he can simply perform the music he hears, they will come and get him. As young as Freddie is, he has some soulful facial expressions and was a joy to watch. His birth mom, Lyla Novacek played by Keri Russell (Bedtime Stories, Felicity-TV), was a concert cellist and that is all I wish to tell you about this film, wanting you to experience the magic of this movie for yourself. The story was written to pull at your heart strings–so what?  Let the music carry you through this sweet, tender movie as you learn to trust the voice you carry inside of yourself.

3 stars — DVD