Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Member since:07.12.2002
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I first saw the film, Mr Holland’s Opus, when it was released in 1995. My three children and myself were all taking piano lessons at the time and were all eager to watch this. As I was contemplating writing the review this morning, I asked my son (just 10 years old when we watched the film together nine years ago) what he had thought of it. I was amazed when he started to tell me details from the film, many I had not remembered, and even quoted lines. This settled it, the film is intended to be inspirational and according to my son, it did inspire him. And so thanks to John, it was confirmed. This would be my next review.
One of the themes from the film is of that of Inspiration. This is not the first film to tackle this theme, some of the main memorable films being Dead Poets Society and Goodbye Mr Chips. What makes this stand out from the others is that it is not just through words that this is achieved. He instils an enjoyment in the playing of music to his performing ensembles. Through example, he shows how music is "supposed to be fun" and a way to express emotions. There are wonderful scenes during which, Mr Holland tries to teach
a pupil wanting to play the drums how to understand rhythm using clapping, marching persevering until we see him successfully perform. He encourages another pupil, a talented singer, to believe in herself tutoring her privately.
The film also tells the story of one man’s life and his ambition to compose one memorable piece of music. Glenn Holland played by Richard Dreyfuss is a musician and composer. To make ends meet, he who takes a teaching job whilst working towards his goal. However, Holland soon discovers that life and commitments often obstruct individual plans. His wife, Iris played by Glenne Headly becomes pregnant and their child born deaf. Headly does a wonderful job of portraying the supportive wife and mother often torn between her love for her husband and her son. Initially a reluctant teacher, Mr Holland soon starts to love his job and through his career, he turns John F. Kennedy High School musical department round from a group of unwilling and disinterested students to being highly respected and successful ensemble. Richard Dreyfuss is magnificent in this (in my consideration his best) role and rightly received an Oscar nomination.
The film highlights some of the difficulties experienced from disability. My Holland’s son Cole, played by Nicholas John Renner, Joseph Anderson and Anthony Natale at different stages of his life, is deaf. His father shows little understanding of the condition focusing more upon the disability than his son. There is a great moment when the son use sign language during an argument with his father. His father, who had not taken the time to learn how to sign at this point, does not understand. He asks his wife to interpret and is told that his son had told him where to go (in words I wouldn’t repeat).
Director, Stephen Herek’ allows the themes to develop slowly producing great emotional depth to the characters. The messages of love, acceptance, understanding and inspiration are conveyed with subtleness and thoughtfulness. Considering his major success prior to this had been, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, this film showed another facet to the director’s abilities.
The soundtrack to the film is correspondingly inspirational. The soundtrack was written by Michael Kamen. Much of the music is integral to the film, Mr Holland does write his opus, The American Symphony, which is played at his retirement at the end of the film. Many of Kamen’s themes including, Cole’s song are played by Mr Holland on the piano. Mr Holland, sings a John Lennon song, for his son, Baby Boy (not the best sung version but very moving in context representing his love, acceptance and understanding of his son). There is a section using the tunes of Gershwin including, Someone to Watch over Me, They Can't Take That Away from Me and I've Got Rhythm.
The screenplay written by Patrick Sheane Duncan is sharp and often funny. The dialogue flows particularly between Holland and his colleague, Jay Thomas as the football coach played by Bill Meister.
The film is rated PG due to some mild swearing but I do feel that it is suitable for all ages. I took my family to see it, the youngest at that time ten years old and was not concerned by the language used. The film runs for 2 hours 22 minutes, no one was bored.
The film was released on 20th January 2003 on DVD anamorphically enhanced. The only extra included on the DVD is the theatrical trailer to the film. It costs as little as £5.97 from Amazon. A CD of the soundtrack is also available from £13.99.
The film was truly inspirational, inspiring Michael Kamen, to set up the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation that supports music education in 1996. Used instruments are donated, refurbished and given to school, individuals and community groups nationwide.
Do watch it, it is an easy-watching film that will tug on your heartstrings. Be ready with the hankies, you will need them.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
An earnest and sometimes overblown story of a music teacher's impact on those around ... more
him,Mr. Holland's Opusis at times a genuinely touching drama in the vein ofIt's a Wonderful Life. Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws,Close Encounters of the Third Kind) plays an a...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
An earnest and sometimes overblown story of a music teacher's impact on those around ... more
him,Mr. Holland's Opusis at times a genuinely touching drama in the vein ofIt's a Wonderful Life. Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws,Close Encounters of the Third Kind) plays an a...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1 to 4 weeks...
Imagine playing the drums when you have no sense of rhythm, or singing with such emotion ... more
it's like falling in love. Every so often a teacher draws talents from students they never knew they had...every so often there's a Mr. Holland. Starring Academy A...
Acclaimed star Richard Dreyfuss gives the performance of a lifetime in this uplifting hit ... more
cheered by audiences everywhere! Glenn Holland is a passionate musician who dreams of composing one truly memorable piece of music. But reality intrudes when he r...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Mr Holland's Opus [DVD] [1996]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78534229.jpg "Mr Holland's Opus [DVD] [1996]")
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