When Evan can get away from the home, he heads to New York City, and is taken is by an Oliver Twist type of group of young runaways who play music on the streets and split the money with their self-appointed leader, Pip (Robin Williams).  Pip acts as a kind of surrogate father to the kids, but he doesn’t always have their best interest at heart.  He changes Evan’s name to “August Rush” to keep the authorities from finding this musical prodigy.

Meanwhile, Lyla’s heart is aching, as is the songwriter’s.  Her father tells her the truth on his death bed and she goes in search of her son.  The songwriter goes in search for Lyla.  Evan is in search of his parents, and eventually, amazingly, they are all brought together.

The movie pulls at your heartstrings a little too hard – our emotions are literally orchestrated.  Keri Russell is wonderful.  Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a really good singer, and Freddie Highmore is as good as always.  Terrence Howard is the Child Protection Services authority to helps out.  Robin Williams is his usual crazy like a fox self.

The music is mesmerizing, the score so perfect for the action. And the costumes are breathtaking. Atonement has award-winner written all over it. A must-see. Some grizzly war scenes, so be warned.  My only criticism is that I would have liked a little more joy, a little more happy, before the two were thrown into such tragic circumstances.

Much of the movie plays off these two men separately, moving in two different worlds.  When they finally come together the scenes are electrifying.  Two Oscar winners, and you can see why.

The movie clocks in at about 2 1/2 hours, but the pace is quick so it doesn’t seem that long.  Very intense, lots of violence.

At one point, Wilberforce, a young and charismatic politician, comes to a crossroads.  He has discovered God, and is tempted to give up his successful career to join the clergy.  His good friend, with political aspirations to be Prime Minister, invites an eclectic group of people to plead their case to Wilberforce.  They are each dedicated to ending the slave trade in England, and they need his help to do it.  As one woman put it: “We understand that you must decide between serving God, and serving the people.  We suggest a way that you can do both.”  He makes this his life’s work, and almost gives his life for it when he becomes deathly ill.  But then, he meets a woman, who inspires him, and gives him that second wind he needed to keep going.

There are so many things to love about this movie.  It is empowering, inspiring, and beautifully done.