Critics ‘rushed’ to ‘August’ judgment

I am still boiling over Carina Chocano’s review of “August Rush” [“Holiday Treacle Heavy in ‘August,’ ” Nov. 21]. She dismissed the tale of redemption of a foster child as “a saccharine holiday pill.” I can trump her cynicism, because what happened to the foster child, Evan, happened to me. I persevered. I survived. I succeeded. And I saw myself in this movie.

The filmmakers were able to capture the central characteristics that are dominant in the lives of foster children throughout this country. Evan and the other children in the film demonstrated a response to abandonment that is common. Chocano and other critics missed an opportunity to herald “August Rush” as a must-see movie for individuals searching for an inspiration to encourage our kids -- especially our disenchanted foster youth.

The filmmakers deserve accolades for capturing the emotional struggle of foster youth to rise above their seemingly rejected status through Evan’s relentless belief in a seemingly impossible dream.

I was abandoned on a bus by my mother when I was 3. While I believed my father would gallantly return to take me home, he never did. But I outlasted adversity and wound up a student at UCLA, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in history. As an aspiring teacher, I hope to use the countless examples provided by history (and occasionally by my own life!) as a lesson to demonstrate to my students that they too can realize their aspirations.

David Flores

Los Angeles