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Mr. Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) didn't want to be the music teacher at the local high school, but accepted the job because of the needs in the community and in his wallet. When his career was at its peak after thirty years, the school no longer wanted him because of budget constraints. It was a choice between athletics and arts. And we know the winner. In the meantime, Mr. Holland brought a special love of music and education in general to lots of students namely: (1) Terence Howard played a young football player who could not remain on the team unless his grade point improved. Mr. Holland taught him to play the drum, and his family was so proud. Later, he was killed in Vietnam. (2) A young girl, who could not play the flute but tried so hard and did improve, later became the governor of the state. (3) A very talented girl was discovered by Mr. Holland, starred in his high school play, and then ran away to New York. Mr. Holland fell in love with her and was tempted to leave his wife and son for her. P. S. She REALLY could sing. The great value of the arts is omnipresent in this movie. A second theme is the importance of the family and that it is too easy to become so involved at work that the family is neglected. Glenne Headly plays Mrs. Holland very well as she copes with a mostly absent husband as she tries to teach and promote their deaf son. Finally, Mr. Holland realizes his mistake and tries to rectify it. A third theme is the importance of the role of teachers in people's lives. Richard Dreyfuss was nominated for Best Actor in 1995 for his title role. Jay Thomas plays the coach, who cooperates with Mr. Holland on many of his projects. Olympia Dukakis (the Best Supporting Actress in "Moonstruck") plays the school's first principal, who encourages and supports Mr. Holland. William H. Macy (the "Fargo" villain) plays the second principal, who gets Mr. Holland fired. This is a four hanky movie that will touch you over and over again. It is well worth owning.Read full review
This totally believable student/teacher drama grabs the viewer's attention from the beginning. Set in the turbulence of the 1960's it sweeps you through 30 years of this man's life (the real-life events that are woven through it are well done). It is the story of a man with good intentions, a teacher who is still learning himself. Glenn Holland (played by Richard Dreyfuss) is an aspiring composer who turns to teaching music at a local high school as a way to help make ends meet and still have time for his composing. His dream in life is to compose an opus that would one day make him famous. His wife (played by Glenne Headley) is loving, devoted and supportive wife. Things begin to change when she becomes pregnant and gives birth to their deaf child. Initially, Glenn has a great difficulty dealing with the fact that his son is deaf and gradually we see him pulling away from his family. For him, it is incomprehensible to have a child who is unable share his love of music. As we all do, Glenn has his faults, but he has a very big heart which keeps you tuned in to caring about him. This movie is about real people in realistic situations. We see a struggling teacher, the wife who supports the struggling teacher through everything, a caring well intentioned principal, a very strict, rigid vice principal, and the students who can all be found in any high school anywhere in the U.S.. The one thing that makes this movie magical is the simplicity of it. He's not a bad man, on the contrary, he's just a man. This is an inspirational movie that will stay with you long after you see it for the first time. It is the story of how you can discover new dreams as you pursue the old ones. Tried, true and timeless it is probably Richard Dreyfuss' greatest role yet. There are nothing but remarkable performances by this cast which includes Olympia Dukakis, William H. Macy, Jay Thomas, Alicia Witt just to name a few. One thing that cannot be omitted from a review of this spectacularly moving film is the fantastic soundtrack. This PG movie should be required viewing for all music students (who knows, they might learn alot from it).Read full review
Mr. Holland's Opus is, in my opinion, one of the best movies ever made. My husband and I were thrilled when we found it on DVD. Mr. Holland is the typical reluctant hero, a musician who becomes a teacher so he can spend all the leisure time he's sure to have composing a symphony. Until he starts to teach, he has no idea that teachers really don't have all that much leisure time, or that this is where his real talents lie. He may be a good musician and an even better composer, but he's one heck of a good teacher. An opus is a musical composition that is numbered to show the order of a composer's works. In this case, the works are students whose lives were forever touched and often changed by Mr. Holland during his 30-year teaching career. Richard Dreyfuss turns in an outstanding performance as Mr. Holland, but you'll enjoy the wonderful supporting cast as well. Keep the Kleenex handy ... this one is a tear-jerker! It's also a movie you'll want to see again and again, so you'll probably want to buy yourself a copy.Read full review
I had seen this movie before on a local tv program. I was completely adamant about getting the movie on DVD...MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED! I was amazed at the story line, dealing with music as an art form in our public school system. I have had my theorie in the past that the Athletics department takes immediate precedence over the music and art. I hate that! This movie Doesn't sugar-coat the struggles that teachers must face with both the students and their family. Richard Dreyfus Gives an awesome performance as Mr. Glenn Holland, who's daily battle to be known for that one great creation. Who hasnt been there, really? I watched this movie, and it literally inspires me to continue in my creativity. Because i may not see it, but i could change someone's life. Just like Mr. Holland did at the end of his tenure as a teacher. He learned that just because you're thrust into something you don't wanna do, doesn't mean that it's gonna be the end of life as you know it. LOL! GET THIS MOVIE! Especially if you are thinking about teaching. It really will make you want to teach.Read full review
Excellent movie! Teachers have the opportunity to make a huge impact on their students. So much so they can literally change the future of that student. I believe an appreciation for music and the arts brings about a broader vision for those who have experienced it in their lives. There's also a societal pattern here. Music/art/drama will always be cut before sports. That's poor decision making on the part of the powers that be. One may enjoy "watching" sports in their latter years but they certainly can't participate. Quite the contrary with the arts...you can experience and be a part of them as long as you live. Mr. Holland touched the lives of the entire community and as was shown by the last scenes of the movie, he was much appreciated for his contribution.
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