MovieChat Forums > August Rush (2007) Discussion > i hate to bring people down to earth, bu...

i hate to bring people down to earth, but..


i'm not a particularly cynical or critical reviewer. I routinely forgive films for presenting unrealistic situations for the purpose of drama. I totally forgive the minor elements which other reviewers have been criticising (11 year old August not having been adopted; being able to hitchhike to new york, meet a black minister and enrol at the juilliard with no identification whatsoever without being turned in to the police). However, I have to fundamentally disagree with the the message this film puts forth. Music is not some kind of magical spirit, like the Force, which some of us possess more of, and therefore can instinctively know how to conduct a symphony orchestra after playing the guitar. Musical ability is much like any other skill or craft; it takes dedication, time and practice, which result in the reward of improvement. It is an insult to any musician to suggest that anyone could sail into the juilliard with no effort on their innate 'musical talent'. I know that this has been exaggerated for dramatic purposes in the film, but the premise is nonsense. Musical ability is in my opinion almost totally due to a persons environment (how much they listen to and practice music), and the 'natural talent' which musicians are supposedly born with and which non musicians envy is almost negligible.
Some people have said that this film inspires people to take up music, but i think that it portrays music so fancifully and in such a fairy-tale way that when those people realise that learning a musical instrument takes hard work, they will be more disappointed and disenchanted with music. In a way, it alienates musicians from non musicians by portraying talented musicians as magicians.
Your thoughts (im particularly interested to hear from other musicians)

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I don't know, Motzart wrote his first symphony at 8, and that's kind of the connection I drew when watching this movie - a modern day figure like that.

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Same as in martial arts, if one wants to really be the best; one has to train since birth and continue training the rest of their lives.

Sure, you can learn at any age; but it won't have the same impact; unless you have the genetic material, and it might help if you are a quick learner or a prodigy. Otherwise you could take them as fitness lessons.

And don't get me on MMA guys. Not all but most of them don't stand up to the philosophy of martial arts; and are only meatheads willing to fight eachother for no reason.

Plus there is the whole brain vs brawn thing. Most smart people are like that due that for some reason where forced for inactivity, and had to rely on books and knowledge while "strong" ones have good physicallity but almost no brains.

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I don't understand is this not a modern fairy tale? None of these points make sense it's like saying there is no fairy godmother so how could Cinderella get to the ball??

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The movie exaggerates these natural abilities for sure. But there are people who are just more naturally gifted musicians than others. Beethoven wrote his first symphony when he was seven if I remember correctly

"This is a $4000 sofa upholstered in Italian silk. Its not just a couch"
"ITS JUST A COUCH!"

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I JUST saw this movie now.. so I apologize for replying to your thread so late in the game.

I am a musician.

I was enjoying this movie right up until he picked up that guitar. No WAY could ANYONE play something like that the very first time they ever picked up a guitar. It just doesn't work that way. No matter if you have the music inside your head or not, you have to know the instrument to make it sing... especially like that.

At that point in the movie I had a bit of a conundrum. I knew in that moment that I would have to check out of reality if I wanted to fully enjoy the movie... so I did. I let myself pretend such things are possible, even knowing they aren't...

But when he sat down at the piano and started writing that music... oh my goodness. I'm sorry. I don't care how much of a genius he is...

And then he goes to Juliard! WHAT??? Just... WHAT????

There were so many elements in this story that were just too fanciful. Too fairytale... but once I checked out of reality and just embraced the fantasy I could enjoy the story.

The thing is... stepping out of reality for this movie will be harder for us musicians. But if you can turn reality off for a minute it's a cute story. :)

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Well Mr. Musician... see this video about Jay Greenberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT94FGBj2FU

Jay at the age of 2 picked up his first chello at a shop and started playing it. He never saw a chello before... forget about learning it...

at 3 he started to write his own notes...

at 8 he wrote his first piano piece...

he got a FULL scholarship at Juilliard at the age of 10...

At 12 his own composition was played out with full orchestra...

He wrote 5 full symphonies at the age of 12...

need to know more just google him...

I think there is nothing in this world which can never be believed :) there is always one or more exception(s)... So next time... you do not have to check out of reality just think well it might be a possibility :)

Suman

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Apparently you've never heard of Mozart.

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Of course I have! The difference between Mozart and August?

Mozart's father was an accomplished musician and teacher who was training Mozart probably almost from birth. August, on the other hand, had NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE AT ALL, except hearing the music in his head. He was not raised around instruments, not raised watching people perform, not raised with a father who could teach him from the get go.

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and Mozart's father wrote most of the early works that are attributed to Wolfgang.

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Hello all,

I just saw the magical movie and really moved by it. then I went on to see the comments at imdb... This one in particular I do not agree with in terms of music... What I believe and I guess most of music lovers and musicians will agree with me is that you can never learn music... This is something you are born with its a talent like very few talents which you can never learn. You can just learn how to play an instrument to the music or how to twist and turn the given music or how to perfect your piece. BUT music is something which can never be taught to anyone...

As far as the movie is concerned... I just love it... no movie is "just perfect" you can never put all the details in a 1.5-2 hour movie... its impossible. and everyone love happy ending so the writers and directors try to make everyone happy before they leave the theater... I think thats what all of us want...

And nonetheless I think this movie partly inspired by Jay Greenberg... probably the best composer of our times... we are going to listen in coming years...

Suman

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Totally agree with the OP. I only play the harmonica but even that was tricky to pick up and play well. I'm still just "getting it", and although I like the theme of the "magic of music" it's almost insulting how they can portray human beings as if somehow certain people can just be "born" to play. It's a total fallacy. Some people might be more musically "inclined" than others, but all of the greatest music prodigies still were masters because they played almost non stop day and night from the time they were young. I would've like the plot a bit more if they made it seem as if there was some progression to the kid's talent as a musician. He literally just starts banging away on a guitar and is a master. They make it seem as if it was genetic. Ridiculous. If you want a much better movie with a musical theme go with "Once" (2006), it's a better film and a more profound story without all the cheese.

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And I hate to be a cynical reviewer, but EVERY movie, tv show, theatrical performance, etc. has unrealistic elements in it. robbie, get off your high horse and quit being oh-so-smart. If you really want to, then just put a surveillance camera on the street and watch that all day. You would be doing yourself a favor because you would be down to earth, and us a favor for getting rid of a troll.

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