Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)

The look at the life of a teacher, and the many ways he impacts his students, told over three decades, this film is a must for music lovers.

Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) is a composer, working on his magnum opus, a symphony. Married to Iris (Glenne Headly), the two of them live in a small apartment that barely has room for his piano.

Needing to make a bit more money to get by, he takes a teaching position at newly-renamed John F. Kennedy High School teaching music appreciation (the film begins in 1964, less than a year after Kennedy's assassination).

Under Principal Jacobs (Olympia Dukakis) and Vice Principal Wolters (William H. Macy), he struggles to teach students who, for the most part, show no interest or aptitude whatsoever.

But there are a few students each year he manages to make a difference with. He also develops a long-standing friendship with gym teacher and coach Bill Meister (Jay Thomas).

Over the next few decades, until he retires, we get many insights into the life of this amazing teacher, his highs and lows, and the lives of the many students he impacts with his dedication and patience.

Along the way, we also see into his home life with his wife, and eventually with his son Cole (played at different ages by Nicholas John Renner, Joseph Anderson and Anthony Natale), who, devastatingly for Glenn, was born deaf. The one thing he had hoped to pass on to his son - an appreciation for music - seems hopeless now.

The script by Patrick Sheane Duncan is fantastic. Not only does it span so many times in history - which are all tied into the story so beautifully - it has moments that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you appreciate your school teachers even more.

Of course, a high point of a film like this is the music, and composer Michael Kamen does not disappoint here. His use of themes (from Glenn's symphony) throughout key moments of the film is handled beautifully, and the changes in instrumentation at different moments is well executed. The score does not at any point overpower the action, but is wonderful in its subtlety.

Oliver Wood's cinematography is fantastic; I particularly love the opening scene as Glenn is writing a section of his symphony at the piano as the opening credits appear. The shot does not cut away, but the camera moves so beautifully and with such grace, it works hand in hand with the on-screen action and emotion of the music impeccably.

The performances of the entire cast are amazing, particularly Dreyfuss in the title role, and Headly as his wife. The relationship between the two of them is well written for a start, but especially well conveyed by the two performers. One does not doubt for a moment that these two have history already when the film opens, and that they have a real love for one another when times get tough, as they often do in this film.

Director Stephen Herek has made a wonderfully beautiful film here, one that audiences are sure to enjoy time and time again for many years to come.

7 out of 10.