What we flagged
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Our take
This is a soft, music-heavy family drama with New York streets, an orphanage, and a shady adult who wants to manage the boy's talent. Mild swearing (damn, hell) appears in street scenes. Separation from parents and city risk may upset sensitive kids. We land at 10 and up because parent separation and adult pressure on a gifted child matter, even when the music story stays relatively mild
Uplifting themes
Music, hope, and chosen family get a warm spotlight. Kindness and talent open doors when systems feel cold Caring teachers and musicians look out for Evan. The street manager is a clear caution about adults with mixed motives Kids who love music get a soft introduction to improvisation, classical training, and street performance. It is inspiration more than a lesson plan
Story (may spoil tone)
Evan, a musically gifted orphan, runs away from his orphanage and searches New York City for his birth parents. On his journey, he's taken under the wing of the Wizard, a homeless man who lives in an abandoned theater. After discovering his talent, the Wizard gives Evan the name "August Rush" and devises a plan to profit from his talent. Little does Evan know that his parents, Lyla and Louis, are searching for him too.
Details
Violence Idle threat talk and rough street energy appear briefly when Evan moves…
Idle threat talk and rough street energy appear briefly when Evan moves through New York. There is no sustained fight focus or bloody set piece for parents to skip
Language Damn and hell crop up in street scenes and mentor pressure. Nothing str…
Damn and hell crop up in street scenes and mentor pressure. Nothing stronger stands out, and the film stays gentle compared with most teen dramas
Drugs / alcohol A kid mentions a drunk parent in passing while explaining his own hard…
A kid mentions a drunk parent in passing while explaining his own hard start. Alcohol is not a visual focus and never becomes a party montage
Child peril / abuse A gifted boy runs from care into New York streets and falls under a con…
A gifted boy runs from care into New York streets and falls under a controlling adult who wants to profit from him. The peril is emotional and situational more than bloody
Grief / bereavement Missing parents and the ache of separation drive Evan's whole journey t…
Missing parents and the ache of separation drive Evan's whole journey through the city. The film keeps hope close to that sadness without pretending the hurt is small
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Evan trusts that music will lead him home. What helps you feel connected to people you miss?
- An adult offers help that is really about money. How can you tell a mentor from someone using you?
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August Rush
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