Listen.
Can you hear it?
The music.
I can hear it everywhere.
In the wind... in the air... in the light.
It's all around us.
All you have to do is open yourself up.
All you have to do... is listen.
Hello, Porky!
Where's your little friend?
I don't know, Mr. Mannix.
Yeah, well, go find him or your big butt's mine.
Where I've grown up...
Evan!
...they tried to stop me from hearing the music.
But when I'm alone... it builds up from inside me.
And I think if I could learn how to play it... they might hear me.
They would know I was theirs... and find me.
Knock, knock.
Knock, knock.
Knock, knock.
Wake up.
Who's there?
Who's there?
Freak.
Freak!
Said "knock, knock," freak.
Who's there?
Your long-lost mommy and daddy.
Can you hear them?
Yes.
No, you can't.
I can.
You don't have no family.
You can't hear anything.
Say it.
Say it.
Say it.
Say it!
Say it!
Say it!
Yes.
I can.
He doesn't hear anything!
What is he?
He's a freak.
Sweet dreams, freaks.
Sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you.
But I believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales.
I like to imagine that what I hear... came from my mother and father.
Maybe the notes I hear are the same ones they heard... the night they met.
Maybe that's how they found each other.
Maybe that's how they'll find me.
Louis! Louie, where are you?
Lyla? She's here.
What are you doing? They're waiting for us.
Sit up straight, please.
Where are you, baby bro?
We didn't follow you from San Francisco to play for free, man. Yeah?
We need this one, baby bro. All right? I need this one.
Don't forget to smile. And look relaxed.
All right, not that relaxed. Come on.
I believe that once upon a time... long ago... they heard the music and followed
it.
I break
I borrow
I live
I lose
I pray
I'm hollow
I'm dead confused
I'll find you
Once you're here, you're never gone Once you're here, you're never gone
Fallen from a night of gold A piece of me that I can't hold
I love you as I lose you more
I break outside this open door Catch me as I wash away
Catch me as I wash away
Well, catch me as I wash away
Far away from me
I break
Not bad, Connelly. Not bad.
Where's the main man?
Goddamn it, Louis. Just wait, man.
Louis? Louis, wait up, man!
Girls! We are going to a party tonight.
It's a full moon, you know what that means, right?
Lyla!
It's a great sound, isn't it?
What are you doing?
Listening.
What are you doing?
I just came up here to...
Get away?
Have a seat.
Come on.
Be brave. Front row center.
Can you hear that?
What is that?
It's a wish.
Now, what does that sound like?
Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
When I was a young fellow... I used to talk to the moon.
Are you making that up?
God, I haven't done that in a long time.
Does it ever talk back?
Well, it used to.
Now I just find myself on a roof talking to myself... like a loon.
Just out here on me own.
Well, I'm here.
Yes, you are.
I'm Louis.
Lyla.
So, what's your story, Lyla?
I don't know. I'm just...
I'm just me.
What are you looking at?
You.
Next.
What did he want? What did you say
You know, same old junk. New guy.
My name is Mr. Jeffries. I'm with Child Services for the state of New York.
Okay, Evan, born December 17th, 1995.
Legal adoption to New York Children's.
How long have you been here, Evan?
11 years and 16 days.
I've been counting.
That's a long time.
How do you do that?
Do what?
Well, it's just imitating the wind chime.
You don't want to be placed with a real family?
I have a family.
Yes, you do. I mean, you have parents and all, but they don't live with you.
Not now.
But still, you don't have contact with them.
Yes, I do.
You do?
What, do they call you?
Come and visit you? Send...
I don't want to be sent away.
I understand.
You see, there's a lot of children who... are scared that if they leave their first
home... their parents would never be able to find them.
Right?
But see, my job is to make sure that nothing like that will ever happen to you.
So, there's nothing to be scared of.
Thank you.
I'm gonna do something I never do.
This is my number.
If you ever need to talk to me... about anything...
Think about what I said, too.
There's a whole world out there with millions of wind chimes.
I know.
You can go now.
Mannix says we're never gonna see our real parents again.
Mannix is a big liar.
Yeah, I know, but what if he's right?
I mean, what if they don't ever come?
I don't even remember what my mom looks like, you know?
Well, if they don't find us, we'll just have to go find them.
Morning. How's it going?
I have to go.
Let me walk you home.
No. My dad's waiting at the Sherry. I...
I've never done this before. I'm in so much trouble.
Meet me here at ten o'clock. By the arch.
Say yes.
Go on, put him out of his misery. Say yes.
Say yes.
I take that as a yes!
You are gonna be in so much trouble.
You should have at least left your dad a note.
Yeah, ransom note. You know what, I don't even care.
I just had the most incredible night of my life.
Taxi!
Louis. She ain't coming.
Oh, man. One girl?
Come on, we're gonna miss the flight.
Taxi!
Oi, Louis! Where you going, man?
'Scuse me.
Louie!
You are not going anywhere. Lyla!
Dad, I'm not going with you!
Lyla! You listen to me.
Don't you dare walk away.
I'm not going with you.
Lyla!
Get in the car right now!
Lyla! Lyla!
Louis!
Do you remember what Da used to say about princesses?
They're always looking for their prince.
And you ain't no prince, brother.
How would you know?
What am I gonna do now?
I know they're out there somewhere.
I don't know where it comes from.
But it's what I hold on to.
And I can't let go.
Somewhere inside me... I know that they always wanted me.
Maybe they just got lost.
Walking through Wintertime When the stars all shine
The angel on the stairs
Will tell you I was there
Under the full moon's light On the mystery night
I been sitting, watching life pass from the sidelines
Been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds
I wondered what might happen if I left this all behind
Would the wind be at my back?
Could I get you off my mind this time?
What's the point of singing, Marshall?
She's not gonna hear me.
I'm leaving the band. I'm sorry, Marshall.
Don't quit on us, Louis.
The things I left behind
Everything you've given up, everything I've given up...
I can't do it.
Sorry, Frank, I can't do it, man.
Louie, listen to me, listen to me.
No!
You know what I mean, Lyla?
Dad!
...approach this problem. I mean, where are we gonna put the baby?
And what about this boy? He's not even, he's not here now.
I'm leaving! I quit!
You can't leave! Where are you going then, huh?
Just let me go, man! Will you just let me go?!
Louis.
Lyla!
Hey, Louis.
Lyla!
We have fetal distress.
Baby's heart rate is falling.
It's falling.
I'm sorry.
He's gone.
Picked him up on the Thruway outside of Montrose.
Just wandering down the road.
Said he's following the music. The moon told him to.
Kid's a space cadet.
Look, I got a busy day ahead of me.
All right, big guy, out you go.
This Jeffries guy wasn't in his office yet... so I left him a message to pick you up
right here when he does.
Here. Hold on. Now, don't lose it.
If he doesn't show in an hour or so, give him another call.
You can handle that, right?
You got any money?
Here's 12 bucks.
Damn, kid, put it in your pocket.
See you.
Get on the sidewalk!
I've got skills, sweet honey
Okay, citizen. You paid. Any requests?
No.
All rightey, then.
Father, hear me when I call your name
I need you to answer me now
Father, here I am
Weak in your sight
Can you rescue me now?
I'm crying out, can't figure it out on my own
Whoa, back off! Away, away!
Yo, son, you messin' with my equilibrium.
Nobody touches this instrument but me. Roxy's my girl.
Son, we done here, so why don't you go find your mommy, a'ight?
I don't know where she is.
Good, that's just great.
Cops show up around six. Tell them you're AWOL.
They'll send you back where you come from.
I don't wanna go back there.
Whatever. Good.
This day has been a bust anyway. I'm out.
What?
I don't have a place to stay.
Do I look like a real estate tycoon to you?
How many dead presidents you got?
Nuggets? Shorts?
Show me the money.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
No, I'm thinking something else.
I'm'a let you buy me a pizza.
I've been doing this for ten years, Bob. I said ten percent.
We need to close the deal. Hold on a second.
No. We said ten percent.
Yeah, well, it makes the world go 'round, doesn't it, Bob?
Just get me the ten percent, will you?
Thanks.
Shit.
Need anything, sir?
Do you know any hit men?
I do know a bass player who might be able to help you out.
Likes to get in fights with lead singers.
Nick?
What are you doing, man?
I'm still driving. Paying off those wedding bills from last year.
Oh, fair play to you. She's a nice girl.
So, you playing at all?
Nope.
Why the hell not? Your fingers fall off?
Well, you move on.
What about the lads? Seen any of them lately?
We still mess around, but... the Connelly Brothers never really bounced back
minus one brother.
You seen Marshall lately?
Have you?
It's my birthday on Saturday.
Session's at my place. Come, bring your girlfriend.
It's great seeing you, man. Reminds me of New York.
The good old days, eh?
I know! I know.
I know. Okay, I don't know.
"Fur Elise" by Beethoven.
And you should know that one.
Oh, yeah.
Will you be our teacher forever, Miss Novacek?
Well, at least until your old teacher comes back.
But only if you call me?
Lyla!
That's right.
You're crazy, Miss Novacek.
Got everything?
Bye!
Thanks!
There you are. Now before you say no... okay, picture this.
You onstage, me accompanying, thousands of people.
Liz. The New York Philharmonic.
I just got the invite.
They want you back.
It's just one night, but they want you back.
I don't want to be up there.
Lyla.
When are you gonna let yourself be happy again?
I am happy.
I'm talking about when everyone else goes home.
Look... I know. Okay? I know.
Just think about it.
I mean, you're a music teacher who doesn't play music anymore.
Call me crazy.
Okay, Crazy. I'll see you at home, okay?
All right.
Nah. I ain't got no daddy.
See, my pops was a drunk.
And my mama, she took off with this crackhead named Little Jesus.
But you know, he wasn't no Little Jesus, you know what I'm saying?
Nah. They never gave a damn about me.
Come on, man! This is us right here.
I've been with Wizard for years.
Who's Wizard?
He's a real piece of work, that's what he is.
His real name is Maxwell Wallace.
He took me in. He said that I was an investment.
He gave me Roxy here. He bought it in the old days.
Well, he really didn't buy it. Guess you'd kind of say he found it.
A'ight, he stole it.
Wizard, he gave me his place at the Square.
My parents? They ain't give me nothin'.
We all gon' be big stars someday.
What's the password?
Open the damn door already.
You gettin' on my nerves is the password.
Okay, follow me.
What's your name again? It's Evan, right?
Yo, this is our home, son.
It's kind of crazy in here, so stay on your feet.
Yeah, I been living here for a while. Come on, man.
So, how much money you make today?
I made ten dollars. I am not lyin'.
What'd I tell you about that?
I'll be laughing at your funeral!
I'm'a go play basketball.
All clear.
My life, the sky,
like a feather I'll fly
Man, you should've knocked him on his head or somethin'.
Pizza!
Yo, you better hurry before Wizard shows.
He'll be pissed if he seen you bought a pie.
I ain't take no family money. Citizen bought it.
Hola, music lovers!
Ah, while the cat's away.
Who likes pizza?
Who did this?
Arthur?
What is he?
He's a damn fool!
He's a damn fool!
He's gonna get it good.
What are you, Arthur?
I'm a real piece of work, Wizard.
You're on thin ice.
I didn't take no family money! He bought it.
What?
You look crazy.
I am crazy.
See?
Come here.
Now!
Come on.
What's your name?
Evan, sir.
What are you doing here?
I followed the music.
Where'd you pick this one up, Arthur? Bellevue?
You never played a note in your life.
Do you know what music is?
It's God's little reminder there's something else besides us in this universe.
Harmonic connection between all living beings everywhere... even the stars.
Is this a school?
Yeah, the school of "Screw you and take all your damn money."
Yeah, we're top of the class!
Not!
It's a business.
Pockets!
Pockets!
Peanut. Well done.
I got eyes in the back of my head.
Good job.
Chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Come on, Arthur. That's chump change.
You got Washington Square. That was my spot for ten years.
Go ahead, before I change my mind.
You kids are gonna put me in the poorhouse.
All right, little mice, scurry back to your holes. Go, go!
Harmonic dreams, sweet children.
Roxanne! Man, I'm gonna kill him!
You know what's out there?
A series of higher tones.
It's arranged by nature... it's governed by the laws of physics of the whole
universe.
It's an overtone, it's an energy, it's a wavelength.
And if you're not riding it, good Lordy,
you'll never hear it.
Where do you think it comes from?
What I hear?
I think it comes from all around you, really. I mean, it's... comes through us,
some of us.
It's invisible, but, but you feel it.
So, only some of us can hear it?
Only some of us are listening.
Do you think my parents are listening?
I hear you, kid.
Like?
Yeah.
Are you hearing a word I'm saying?
Louis!
Come on. It's about time I met your family.
Listen, Jen, maybe this isn't such a good idea.
Grow up.
Come on. Come on.
The angel on the stairs
Are all Irish people this loud?
Yeah.
Will tell you I was there
Under the full moon's light On the mystery night
I been sitting, watching life pass from the sidelines
Been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds
Hey, Marshall, your brother's here.
Louis!
Hey, Nick.
Oh, my God!
Is that you?
When were you gonna tell me you were in a band?
I'm sure there's a lot of things our Louis hasn't told you, darlin'.
Like who'd you write the song for?
I told you this was a mistake.
That's it, go on. Walk out on us again.
Hey, Louis.
Say what you gotta say, Marshall. Come on, say what you have to say.
Come on, say it. Come on.
That the best you got?
Come on! Hit me! Come on, hit me!
Feel what? Come on! Hit me!
I'm suffocating here!
You all right, man?
You all right, man?
Welcome to the Connelly clan.
Jennifer.
You know, it was good having the old Louis back in there... even if it was only for
a second.
Louie... aren't you supposed to be in the car with the girl...
as she drives off into the sunset?
Get your suit dirty sitting there, man.
This is a message for Lyla Novacek.
Please call Good Samaritan Hospital.
I'm calling about your father, Thomas Novacek.
I wasn't sure you were going to come.
My will is in the top drawer of the desk in my study.
Dad, stop, come on.
Lyla, please... there's more.
All I ever wanted was...
for you to have all that promise, all that life.
But you were so young.
We had so much work to do. You weren't ready.
That's plenty, Dad. Really.
I mean, a baby, that... A baby,
he could have hurt you.
He could've hurt you,
and I wasn't going to let that happen, Lyla.
I made a choice for us.
Oh, my God.
A choice for us.
Wait...
I'm sorry.
Where?
Where is he?
I didn't mean...
Where is he?
I don't know.
I don't.
You gotta love music more than you love food.
More than life. More than yourself.
You feel it?
Then show me. Play it for your parents.
You're flying, kid.
You know what I'm thinking?
You're supposed to say, What are you thinking, Wizard?
What are you thinking, Wizard?
I'll teach you everything I know for free.
You get Roxanne. You get my corner of the Park.
You get to keep half your tips. We're like a team.
There's something wrong with that picture.
What?
I don't think performing in parks and street corners is gonna be enough.
It won't?
Evan. We're gonna need to get you a new name.
Something with a little more pop.
What do you want to be in the world? I mean, in the whole world,
what do you want to be? Close your eyes and think about that.
Found.
Doesn't have enough yin.
Little more yang, you know?
Yeah, let's see.
Talk about wishful thinking.
See that?
What name stands out to you on that?
Beach?
It's a good name for a band, but not for a performer.
You can't say, "Please welcome Beach."
No. August Rush!
August Rush. Doesn't that warm you up a little bit?
I can see it: Wizard Productions presents... the number one heat wave... August
Rush!"
It's me! Yeah!
It gives me a rush! That gives me chills!
The hair on the back of my neck's standing up. Look at that.
Whoa, quick, check it out. Yeah!
Yeah! August!
August Rush! August! August Rush! August Rush!
That's you!
New York, Lyla? What are you doing in New York?
Lizzy, I mean, I've always felt that he was alive.
I see kids that would be his age, and I,
and I imagine what he'd look like.
Big blue eyes like his dad, and...
Oh, my God, Lyla.
Lizzy, I used to lie in bed at night
and I swear I could hear him. I swear I could hear him.
Lyla, calm down.
Calm down?! How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
I've been calm for over ten years, and look where it's gotten me!
Lyla, you're losing it.
You're right. And maybe it's about time.
Don't do anything crazy, okay, sweetie?
Okay, Jack, he's worth three times what you're offering him, okay?
You heard him in the Park! Wallace, you're a pain in the ass!
250 if he can play for two hours straight.
No, five, or he walks.
500?! I'll give him 250 if he can...
500 or he walks, all right?
He walks?
We have lightning in a bottle, Jack!
No parents. I'm his guardian.
I'm his representation, that's why I'm making the deal.
May I help you?
I'm trying to find my son.
Hold on a second. Name?
Mommy!
I don't know.
I'm sorry, ma'am, we're closing.
Please, I just, I want to know his name.
To even consider re-establishing contact with a child... there is a detailed
process.
I don't care about your process!
Okay?!
Ma'am, we're closed.
Come back tomorrow.
Lyla.
Novacek.
Hi, this is Lyla... and Lizzy... and we're not here right now, so leave a message.
Arthur!
What'd I tell you about talking to strangers?
Yeah, what's your name?
My name is Mr. Jeffries. And yours?
Arthur. We ain't strangers now.
Look, Mr. Wallace, I'm here making my normal rounds.
I'm trying to find these kids.
This girl, her name is Geralda, she should be about 14 now?
Don't know her, Mr. Jeffries.
Okay, well, maybe you can help me with this young man.
Little boy that came up missing recently. His name is Evan Taylor.
He's about 12.
And what if I find this Evan and I turn him over to you?
What then?
You don't care about a kid after he's in the system.
It's not like that for m...
I know exactly what it's like. You don't follow up.
And you throw him from place to place.
Eventually you end up in a place where they kick the crap out of you.
Go to bed at night and... he tries to close his eyes, ears, shut out the world.
What happens to that kid? What do you think he hears?
What do you think he hears?
Nothing.
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Are you all right?
Yeah, I'm cool.
He's good!
14th Precinct, Sergeant O'Malley.
No. That doesn't cut it.
No!
Oh, is that final?!
Okay, well, here's my final offer, we're history!
Deal's off.
But I wanna play.
You play when I say play. You breathe when I say breathe. You got that, boy?
You got that, boy?
But I have to play.
Wizard, I need them to hear!
You forget about your parents!
They were pretty quick to forget about you.
You don't know how it could be for you.
You do not know how precious your gift is.
You're just a kid, you don't know.
I do, August.
Wizard! Wizard!
Talk to me. What happened?
It's Arthur. The cops chased him back here.
Okay, split up. You know the drill.
We gotta help Arty.
Forget about Arty. Arty's on his own. That's the book.
No!
August! August!
Grab him! Grab him! There he goes!
Up there!
You see him? See him?
Hey, you! Cops! Cops!
Cops! Over here!
Listen, you can't let the cops catch you.
If they do, you don't tell them your real name... because they'll send you right
back where you came from, you got that?
I don't want to lose you.
But if we get separated, we meet at the arch.
Do not tell them your name.
When I say run, you run, okay?
Let me see your hands.
Run, August! Run, August!
Hey, kid, stop!
Open the door!
...how I don't need that man, but they don't understand
There's far too many questions in reality
Dealing with the pain of stress and poverty
And I gotta be myself because there's nobody else for me, no
Hang in there with me
Sometimes it takes a different kind of love to raise a child
So don't give up When pressures come down
Sometimes it takes a different kind of dream to make you smile
So raise it up Hang in there with me
Sometimes we need another helping hand to show the way
So don't give up When pressures come down
Sometimes it seems impossible, that's why we pray
Seems to be nothing left for me
Mama's gone, Daddy didn't wanna be
Now I'm all by myself wondering where is love
Or should I just give up, you know
Life falls down on me, cuts into my soul
But I know I got the strength to make it through it all
Cause I'm still standing tall, breaking through these walls
I'm gonna give my all, hey
I'm feeling like a motherless child
Pain cuts into my soul
It's beaten me down Can't find a smile
On the face of a motherless child
Gonna break down these walls
Gonna give my all
Sometimes it takes a different kind of love to raise a child
So don't give up When pressures come down
Sometimes it takes a different kind of dream to make you smile
So raise it up Hang in there with me
Sometimes it takes another's helping hand to show you the way
So don't give up when pressures come down
Sometimes it seems impossible, that's why we pray
Hi.
I know how this looks, you know.
I'm not crazy.
Nobody thinks you're crazy. What's your name?
Lyla Novacek.
Well, it's like the woman explained to you.
You fill out a couple forms.
No, no, six months, they said. I don't have six months for forms.
Then I can't help you there.
Explain something to me now. Why now?
Why not before? Why is it so important that you want him now?
I've always wanted him.
I've waited 11 years, two months, and 15 days...
to find out that he's alive.
I've been counting.
Hi, this is Lyla...
and Lizzy...
and we're not here right now, so leave a message.
When the one thing you're looking for Is nowhere to be found
And you're back-stepping all of your moves,
Trying to figure it out
What are you waiting for?
You see, I know this girl that lives across the street.
Lyla Novacek.
I've been standing outside here waiting, you know?
I wrote her a song.
Oh, the musician. She keeps me up half the night.
But I haven't seen her in a few days. She's off on her honeymoon.
Thanks.
And you want to reach out, you want to give in
Your head's wrapped around what's around the next bend
You wish you could find something warm
'cause you're shivering cold
But it's the first thing you see as you open your eyes
The last thing you say as you're saying goodbye
But something inside you is crying and driving you on
And this isn't your signature?
You do realize that he's probably already been placed with a family, correct?
Do you have children, Mr. Jeffries?
I did.
Then you know.
What's his birthday?
December 17th, 1995.
Yeah, I know.
Excuse me a minute.
This is him.
Yeah.
You're the one slept under my bed?
Do you live here?
Me and my grandma do, till our boat comes in.
Do you like music?
More than food.
Do you know your notes?
I've never seen them like that before.
See here.
Every Good Boy Does Fine.
On the lines.
And F, A, C, E, in-between.
And Great Big Dogs Fight Animals... and All Cars Eat Gas.
Get it?
You're like an angel.
Okay. I gotta go.
Gotta go to school.
Can I borrow this?
Later.
Holy...
Reverend James!
You're not gonna believe this, Reverend J.
Slow down, Hope.
You've gotta see what's happened.
Remember in Music Appreciation we had a class on Mozart?
Yes
Member you said he was like a musical pod?
Prodigy.
Exactly!
Well, I have one of those, and he's living under my bed.
So I showed him the scales and when I came home, he was...
Mr. Jeffries, hi. It's Lyla Novacek again.
I was just checking in.
Right, I understand.
You know, if there's any more information or, just call.
I'll take it.
How long do you think you'll be staying?
As long as it takes.
Sorry.
I don't know, Lizzy. It's like...
I just woke up and...
I should start playing again.
I should play.
I know it sounds crazy, but maybe he'll hear me.
Hey, Marshall. It's me.
I'm in New York.
Is the band still minus one mad Connelly brother?
Having you guys here... it'd be great, you know?
Just an idea.
Hey, Frank!
It's Louis.
Louis Connelly.
And?
I played here with me band a couple a years ago, well, about ten years ago.
Hey, listen, Frank!
I'm going to play you one song, all right? Just one song.
And if you don't like it, you can throw me out.
You brought us a prodigy, Reverend.
He is a mystery.
Dean, I thought he was an angel.
There's no record of an August Rush anywhere.
It's about foundation, starting with a very simple, orderly chord.
...as you open your eyes
The last thing you say as you're saying goodbye
But something inside you is crying and driving you on
Lyla. Just relax.
You're pushing yourself too hard.
I don't know if I can do this.
You're playing with the Philharmonic. That's great.
Okay, let's keep going.
Start with a C major chord, then a modulation to G.
Once we get to G, you go back to C, very simple.
And we go C, G, C.
From the very beginning, C major chord.
We have this chaotic evolution into a remote G major.
What's this? August?
The diminished fifth, sir.
Key change here.
And then the rise with those round horns... the oboes, into the allegro staccato
strings.
Ah, Mr. Rush.
I'm sorry.
Why are you apologizing, August?
Sometimes I don't listen well, and I don't do the homework like I'm supposed to.
Well, I'm sure you'll do better in the future.
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra is having a concert.
In the history of this school we have never performed the work of a first year
student... and certainly no one of your age.
But now, we've asked them if they could perform your rhapsody.
Would you like that?
Oh, good.
Good.
How many people will hear it?
Well, it would be performed in Central Park, on the Great Lawn.
A hundred?
Much more. Thousands.
Okay. 'Cause I need to play it to a lot of people. Lots and lots.
We'll see what we can do to help.
August, three artists will be performing... and you will be featured last.
How do you do it?
How does the music come to you?
I just hear it.
Sometimes I wake up and it's there... or I hear it when I'm walking down the
street.
It's like someone is calling out to me.
Writing it all down is like I'm calling back to them.
Who?
The ones who gave me the music.
You sure you're ready for this, Louis?
Are you?
Bravo, August!
Good one!
August. Boy, you're a hard guy to find.
Been looking everywhere for you.
Excuse me.
You're interrupting a rehearsal here.
And you are?
Come here to me, son.
Come here.
What'd they do to you?
Nothing.
These people could steal your soul.
Sir, whoever you are, you don't have the right!
I'm his father, all right? I have every right.
I'll take you home now. Come on.
But I have a concert. I like it here.
He's a remarkable boy, Mr...
You don't think I know that?!
What'd you do, you just snatched him up off the street? That gives you the right?
Wait a moment, we've been teaching him here.
What are you gonna do?
Fill his head with classical theory and rules?
You can't learn music from books!
It's out there.
You teach him?!
He teaches you. You learn from him!
We are. I assure you, Mr. Rush, every day.
Come on. You should be with family.
Mr. Rush, please!
Do you have any idea of the importance of the concert tomorrow night for
August?
August. Wait, listen.
You gotta tell me right now, is this man really your father?
You can tell me the truth.
I know your real name.
Evan.
August.
Evan.
Is he your father?
He taught me everything I know.
And we are back, we are back.
Don't make it harder for yourself, Aug. Wizard's not so bad.
You saw the kid, right? He's a freak of nature.
Yeah. Okay, here's the deal.
Thousand a night, two weeks minimum, three-cities guaranteed.
Then we ship him out to your partner on the West Coast.
He just ain't feeling well.
He said you the only one who gonna make him feel better.
Competition. All right, I'll be back. You do what you do.
I'm his representation, that's why I'm making the deal.
Come on. No, there's no parents.
Great sounds, kid.
Gibson J-200?
It's beautiful.
Can I see her?
It's okay.
I'm a musician, too.
Oh, yeah.
Nice action.
You're pretty good.
Thanks.
See what you can do with mine.
How long you been playing?
Six months.
Six months? How'd you learn how to play like that in six months?
Juilliard.
Juilliard.
Yes, sir. I have my own concert tonight.
So you reckon I should believe you?
Yeah. But I can't go.
Why's that?
It's kind of a long story.
Well, if I went to Juilliard and I had a concert tonight... I wouldn't miss it for the
world.
Yeah.
But what if something bad would happen if you did it?
You never quit on your music.
No matter what happens.
Cause anytime something bad happens to you... it's the one place you can
escape to and just let it go.
I learned that the hard way.
And anyway, look at me... nothing bad's gonna happen.
Gotta have a little faith.
I'm Louis.
Ev... August. August Rush.
August Rush.
Cool name.
August!
Come on!
I gotta go, August.
Bye.
Yeah.
Bye.
Bye.
Yes, I made him memorize our number.
I understand. Your department's doing everything they can.
Do you think anything bad happened to him?
I'm sure he's fine.
I prayed for him. Did you?
Yeah.
Well, if his father loves him like he should... then he'll do what's best for his son.
You believe that, don't you?
Yeah.
Good. Now go get ready.
Welcome to our Concert in the Park...
and the Mercedes Drive Your Future Scholarship Celebration.
Now, it is with enormous pleasure... that I welcome back to the concert stage one
of Julliard's own... Lyla Novacek.
So long you've been running in circles around what's at stake
But now the time's come for your feet to stand still in one place
You wanna reach out, you wanna give in
Your head's wrapped around what's around the next bend
You wish you could find something warm
'cause you're shivering cold
It's the first thing you see as you open your eyes
The last thing you say as you're saying goodbye
Something inside you is crying, driving you on
Cause if you hadn't found me
I would have found you
I would have found you
I have to go now.
I'm not coming back this time.
He's just kidding, Wizard.
Me and August have a understanding. Don't we?
Aug, you can't leave me, man.
Yes, I can.
Cause you have to find your parents, right?
Yeah. My concert's starting.
All my money's on the fact your folks won't be able to find you.
You know why?
Because they can't hear you.
Cause they're probably dead.
You're not going anywhere.
Nowhere to go, son.
Run, boy!
Run, August, run!
I would have found you
August!
August!
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Music has always fascinated us... in the way that it communicates, without
words... without pictures.
And that leads us to our final performance.
Say, how much longer to the airport?
Man, it's jammed up with traffic.
Bring you back to the old days, eh, Louis?
August Rush.
Evan Taylor?
Unfortunately, our last performer seems to have...
He's here. He's here. He's here!
Oh, excellent. Perhaps there's no one else who can better personify the mystery...
that is music... than our final composer.
Hey, what's that?
Concerts in the Park every spring.
Let me out.
Let me out!
Let me out!
The music is all around us.
All you have to do is listen.