I have been on a real 90s movie kick the last few months, and while I have had fun watching movies from my younger and teenage years, I have also been watching movies that I missed out on, like Mr. Holland’s Opus. To be honest with you, I had no idea this movie even existed until recently, but I do like movies that are about “music,” so I thought that this one sounded interesting, and it seemed like a lot of people really hold this movie in high regard.
How to Mr. Holland’s Opus
Mr. Holland’s Opus was released on December 29, 1995. You can or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
Released in 1995, Mr. Holland’s Opus is a drama that has Stakeout (1987)) in the leading role of Glenn Holland. Glen is a talented musician, and when we first meet him in 1964, he has dreams of making an epic musical that will see him become rich and famous. I think that Glen is a very relatable character, as most of us at some point in our lives have dreamed of doing something that leaves an impact.
A Musician Turned Educator: Glenn Holland’s Journey
However, despite his dreams, life gets in the way, and Glen ends up taking a job at a high school teaching music as he needs the money for his family. At first, Glen has a tough time connecting with the kids, but he soon opens up and teaching becomes a real ion of his. Despite this, as time goes on, Glen has a tough time connecting with his son, who is deaf, and it also feels like he is drifting away from his wife, too. The stuff with him wanting to connect with his son, but not being able to his love of music to him, is heartbreaking and frustrating at first. However, when he overcomes this, it is a real highlight of the movie.
30 Years of Teaching and Life Lessons
We follow Glen’s career over 30 years and the challenges in his personal and professional life. William H Macey plays a fantastic role of a slimeball teacher who would do anything to get ahead, if you have worked in education, I guarantee, you know a person like this! The whole movie is filled with real and some very raw acting performances. The more Glen connects with his students, the further away his dream of creating that musical falls.
A Teacher’s Lasting Impact
For me, the point of the movie was to show that one teacher who has a good heart can truly make a difference and an impact on a student’s life. You really cannot put a price on how much a good teacher can help a student, and that is what we have here. The scene with his past students is just fantastic and leaves you with a real, feel good feeling once the credits start to roll.
A Heartfelt Recommendation for Mr. Holland’s Opus
I think that Mr. Holland’s Opus is a pretty interesting movie; it is a feel-good kind of drama. While life may not have worked out the way Glen thought it would, you could argue that it all worked out better in the end due to the positive impact he had on so many students’ lives. Check this one out if you have never seen it. Richard Dreyfuss and the rest of the cast truly do a wonderful job of making you care about this man and his story.
