Okay...this one is tough for me. I want to like it, I do. But I don't. I think the movie was 'okay' and a bit forced in its message. But then, I'm one of those who HATED, I repeat, HATED 'Cider House Rules' for doing the same. I liked the 'idea' of "August Rush" (and I love Robin Williams and Keri Russell) but think they could have done a much better job with it. By the way, the music, I believe, does ROCK. That Kaki King is freakin' awesome. You know, it's a chick who plays those awesome slap guitar solos...
And Robin Williams' character was a bit reminiscent of his incredible portrayal in "The Fisher King" for some reason and he was just so much better there.
Just my two cents though. And I also hated "Rachel Getting Married".
If you like Keri Russell (who wouldn't), that "Waitress" flick is actually pretty decent. And the director (Adrienne Shelly, whose career I've actually followed) was very unfortunately murdered before the film was released. Very tragic; she had oodles of talent.