August Rush

August Rush has built a real following in Australia on Netflix among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Freddie Highmore brings more to the role than the format usually demands. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

August Rush is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. August Rush has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. 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. Freddie Highmore and Keri Russell lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. The visual gags in August Rush reward close attention without ever depending on it. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you have been sleeping on August Rush because of the format, the format is not the issue here. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious in ways that hold up regardless of format. Worth watching in order from the beginning.