Article: Russell sells cheesy concept in 'August Rush'

In literature they call it "magical realism," that emotional blurring of the real with the surreal.

In the movies we call it "manipulation" and "contrivance."

But for all its patently absurd situations, its occasionally cloying characters and its naked tugs at the old heartstrings, "August Rush" still finds a way, every so often, of dropping a lump into your throat.

It is "Oliver Twist" meets "Fame," this story of an orphan boy who knows he can find his parents if he can play a song that tells them he's here. First, of course, he's got to meet The Artful Dodger and learn the guitar, then go to Julliard and land a big concert in Central Park.

But magical things happen to Evan (Freddie ...

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