This story left just about everyone who screened it with a lump in our throats. It is an emotional ride which leads to a fantastic conclusion. If the viewer followed the journey from beginning to end, he/she wouldn’t be disappointed with how it is wrapped up.
The premise of the story is the birth of a child prodigy, whose obvious musical talents begin to shine to all those around him, including those who would help him and one who would exploit him for gain. Separated from his parents at birth, due to some circumstantial situations which are explained in the film, the young boy at age twelve desperately wants to find his mother and father. He knows in his heart they are still alive.
Freddie Highmore gives an outstanding performance, as do Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Robin Williams is also quite good as Wizard, the Fagin of his day, as there are a couple of similarities between this story and “Oliver Twist”.
Life in an orphanage is depicted in this story and young August is believed to be an orphan. Some of the children haze young August a bit because of his hope in finding his birth parents. He soon runs away and eventually meets Wizard, and he winds up playing music in a church and is “discovered” as a musical genius. However, this film contains a single instance of biblical profanity, therefore we are unable to award it our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.
