MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS-1995
I saw this film in the theatres, Holy time warp Batman!, 20 years ago. I thought it was time for a revisit. Richard Dreyfuss (of Jaws fame) carries the film. He is, basically, in almost every shot. It starts off in 1964, which is a great year (I was born that year), when this would be composer decides to take a teaching job to pay the bills. He is reluctant to teach because his love is composing but, over the years, he invests so much of his time and heart into his job and to his students that his life changes in many ways- he inspires his students and is inspired by them. It is a feel good picture.
Dreyfuss was up for an Oscar because he carried this film but he had some great competition and I am actually glad he did not win since he was up against Nicolas Cage for Leaving Las Vegas (He won) and Sean Penn for Dead Man Walking. My favourite character is the phys-ed teacher and coach played by Jay Thomas(whatever happened to him?).
The music is excellent since you go through the 1960's all the way up to the late 80's (I think). It makes me think about getting the CD (yup I still buy those). The kids go from looking sweet and so well dressed to...not, but the kids are all pretty nice. Something that is not realistic.
His final piece, the piece that he has been working on for 30 years finally is heard and lasts all of 2 minutes-Hahahaaaa. If I was his wife I would be smacking him with my purse thinking "After 30 years that's all you came up with you idiot!" but he is able to showcase something that he loves to the school and kids he grew to love. It is without doubt sentimental and schmalzy but that's ok. I forgive the schmalz since we all need this from time to time.
In the end, if you love music and love a nice movie you will like this one and, let's face it, we all wish we had a teacher like this. Some of us have been lucky to have had one.
Wow! That's a blast from the past. Not because I actually watched... but because you just reminded me I had every intention to go see it... 20 years ago... but never it! Bumping it up on list.... thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeletehugs Asha
I know-20 years! I think of 1995 as just the other day:)
DeleteSeen it a long time ago when it came out and enjoyed it indeed. lol don't recall his piece being a whole 2 minutes, but hey, at least he finished.
ReplyDeleteThat is true..he finished:)
DeleteFinally, a movie I saw :) I too enjoyed it a lot; where has time gone? I can't believe it was 20 years ago!
ReplyDeletebetty
yeah!!! You saw this film and it is a nice film but can't believe it is 20 yrs old
DeleteI loved that movie.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good one
DeleteI loved that movie.
ReplyDeleteYep, November. This is the time of year when we have one foot on a banana peel. In other words, it's almost time to stick a fork in 2015.
ReplyDeleteBefore you know it, I'll be deep inside a wine bottle cranking for the stupid ball to come down on Times Square so I can go to bed already.
Can't wait.
hahaha-my hubby likes to go to bed before midnight. I want to at least the stupid ball come down-big whoop di doo
Delete12:00 Ball falls down into Times Square
Delete12:02 Al falls down into bed. A little tipsy. It's my way.
Richard Dreyfuss is one of my favorite actors. He's so talented. I don't think I've ever seen a movie of his I didn't like. I remember this one, and though I like him in comedies better, I enjoyed this movie a lot. Thanks for reminding me of it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh he was really good in this one. I remember him in Jaws of course and The Goodbye Girl as well as The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
DeleteSome of things you describe strike a chord so I'm sure I saw it. Most likely one of the first movies the Husband and I saw when we were a courting each other, since he played in the band in both high school and college. I'm a sucker for feel good movies.
ReplyDeleteThis is a feel good movie for sure. I think you would like this one
DeleteI remember enjoying the movie, but I don't recall a heck of a lot about it. Maybe I should see if I can find it again.
ReplyDeleteI remembered some but did forget quite a bit so it was nice to rewatch it
DeleteWow! It's been 20 years already?! That was a good movie. I still buy CDs as well. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a good movie with flaws but glad you buy cd's still too
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed watching it again.
ReplyDeleteI have always been astonished that Sean Penn didn't win the Oscar that year. He barely moves in Dead Man Walking, and yet I'd say it was one of the greatest screen performances I've ever seen.
I think Sean Penn deserved the award that year of these 5 listed. He was powerful in the role
DeleteAgreed
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it. It's a very nastalgic type movie, reminding you of times past. It's one of my mom's favorites, but for me it's just okay. I liked seeing it once and don't mind to remember it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a film of schmaltz and sometimes we need schmaltz
DeleteYeah, I saw that one. A while ago. I tend to shy away from the inspirational teacher stories nowadays.
ReplyDeleteHahhaaaa-I bet considering you live the reality
DeleteJay Thomas is 67. He has a Sirius radio program. I always thought he was funny. He was good on Cheers. I like Mr. Holland's Opus a lot, but Nic Cage deserved his win for Leaving Las Vegas. Sean Penn was good, too.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh I don't know this radio program at all. He was good in Cheers and Murphy Brown. Nicholas Cage was excellent in his role but I was voting for Sean Penn
DeleteI think I need to see this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice film and one of inspiration-we need that today
DeleteI loved that movie.
ReplyDeleteConsidering what just happened, we need films like this even more
DeleteI see now I stepped into this blog post with my comment on the last one. Ah well. Great minds thinking alike???
ReplyDeleteI was smiling when I read your post and knew that we had great minds:)
DeleteHi, BB! I forgot to tell you that I needed to take a four day blog break. I'm late but I'm back. Thanks for your patience. Mrs. Shady's two children were both in the high school band and she I both enjoyed Mr. Holland's Opus. I have been a big fan of Dreyfuss ever since Graffiti and I have also been impressed by Alicia Witt ever since she appeared as Cybill Shepherd's daughter in the TV series Cybill, another series Mrs. S. and I watched regularly.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing this sentimental, schmaltzy and very enjoyable opus, dear friend Birgit!
This movie must have been close to your hearts since both your kids were in the band. It is always nice to have a feel good movie being praised by critics and people
DeleteHappy Sunday, Birgit:)
ReplyDeleteSame to you!
DeleteNot to make you feel old, but we watched this movie in middle school and high school quite a few times. The music teachers always felt like it would inspire us... and dammit, it sure did!
ReplyDeleteYeah...thanks a mil:) Actually I am glad it was being shown in school. Glad it inspired you
DeleteI remember seeing this when I was in high school. I think I should revisit it because I liked it, but can't remember all the details. Great review!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks! I couldn't remember either so it was nice to revisit this movie
DeleteI've never seen this film - but I love Richard Dreyfuss so I must look it out.
ReplyDeleteHe is in almost every shot so I think you will like it
DeleteI have never seen this movie, but I really want to.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one
DeleteI'm pretty sure of seen this, but I don't remember any real details of the story. And that's the story of my movie watching life.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
hahahaaa-that can happen with movies. I know someone who falls asleep within 5 minutes of the movie starting
DeleteDon't think I've ever watched this one! (not a big Dreyfuss fan, but like him in some things). I enjoy the music of the 60's era, so maybe next time TCM airs it, I might give it a go! We all need a little schmaltz now & again. Beats the blood & guts that is so popular today! Give me a good John Wayne every time, and I'm happy! TFS
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good film and he does a good job in this movie. John Wayne is the best though
DeleteI do love music, classically performed as well. I do remember when this came out but I think it was right about the time I stopped going to the theatre. It's also possible I shyed away from it because Dryfuss was in it and the only thing I ever liked him in was American Graffiti. I'll have to look into this CD. Yup, I still purchase them too and have quite the collection.
ReplyDeleteThe music is great and he is not grating, at least to me, like he was in Close Encounters. Glad you have a DVD collection also
DeleteThis was a great movie. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteIt is-I agree
DeleteThis was a great movie. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great movie. Shall watch it over the coming weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry to leave a link, Blogger won't allow my wordpress comment:
Daily (w)rite
No probs and hope you like the movie
DeleteThis is one movie that I've watched several times over, and wouldn't mind watching again, Birgit. I love the part when his student comes back and performs so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice moment and I liked the student whom he spent so much time with-so many special parts
DeleteNever seen this movie! But, I have a soft spot for feel-good movies about teachers, so maybe I'll give it a go!
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think.
DeleteI remember crying puddles over this one!
ReplyDeleteI did when I first saw it. Now...less so but it is still inspiring
DeleteI've seen this movie quite a few times. It is good.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good one for sure
DeleteI've seen this movie quite a few times. It is good.
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteAre you feeling better?
Better today and yesterday but rain coming...let's see what the body does:)
DeleteDo your joints bother you?
DeleteBirgit, I saw this movie, but at the time it just didn't do much for me. I may have to revisit this film to see what my opinion is now. Thanks for reminding me that Dreyfuss was in this flick. I totally forgot about it. Thanks for stopping by & voting! Have a tunetastic week, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI have seen films I thought sucked and then, much later, re-watched and had a better appreciation for it. You just never know
DeleteI love this movie! We had to watch it in school several times for different classes (probably whenever the teacher needed a break -ha!) and I loved it every time. That and Rigaletto.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I liked that one and I remember the plot vividly, but I wasn't a huge fan. It felt too true to life to me, and I'm more an escapist when it comes to entertainment.
ReplyDeleteYay! A movie I've watched. :) I love this one so much. It makes me bawl every time. The character goes through such a great, realistic arc of hating teaching to fighting to protect it.
ReplyDeleteReally reminds me of the saying, "Life is what happens when you're making other plans."