As the bell signals the start of another school year many of us will be recalling memories of the classmates and teachers who defined our educational experience. Since the dawn of cinema Hollywood has produced innumerable movies relating the inspiring tales of teachers and the vital impact that teachers have upon their students' lives. One movie stands apart from the genre, however, through the depth, complexity, and honesty with which it depicts teachers and the teaching profession; 1995's Mr. Holland's Opus. Through its unflinching portrayal of one man's journey through the teaching profession the film relates a tale of life and learning that is truly a cinematic opus.
The story begins in 1964 as financial difficulties force musician and aspiring composer Glenn Holland to find more stable work. He then reluctantly takes a position as a music teacher at a local high school, which he hopes will allow him to pay his bills while still affording him time to work on his symphony. What begins as a temporary detour proves to be a fateful decision, however, as he finds himself inspiring and being inspired by his students in equal measure. Over the course of thirty years he endures tragedy and triumph with his students and the music that he shares with them guiding him through every note in the symphony of his life.
The film sets itself apart from other inspiring education dramas by refusing to idealize either its titular teacher or his profession. Rather than devoting himself to a lifelong calling Holland instead enters teaching as a temporary solution to his financial problems. Similarly, he is employed by a local suburban school rather than a struggling inner city school. As a result, Holland is an entirely practical and relatable protagonist who is doing his best to get through the work day rather than a savior devoting himself to rescuing at risk youths. The film particularly succeeds in its portrayal of his evolving feelings towards his profession and his students as he slowly stops seeing his work as a 'day job' that is an obstacle to his real work and begins to view it as his true calling. In one of the film's most moving story arcs it depicts the ways in which his dedication to his work threatens both his marriage and his relationship with his son. It is this storyline that highlights his humanity by exploring his flaws as well as his failure to invest in his family the same way that he invests in his class. As a result, viewers are presented with an all too human protagonist in the form of Glenn Holland rather than just another unattainable Hollywood inspirational teacher. This inversion of the genre's cliches provides viewers with insight into both the realities of life as a teacher and a glimpse of the subtle ways in which students and teachers influence one another. The script lends the film further realism by showing Holland's interactions with a diverse array of colleagues as well as generations of students. In this way the film highlights both the ways in which he changes in response to the lessons that he learns and the ways in which those around him are impacted through the lessons that he teaches. At once heartbreaking, heart warming, and all too true to life Mr. Holland's Opus might just be the magnum opus of the inspirational teacher genre.
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| "You love music and you made us kids love it with you" |
The film brings Mr. Holland's career to brilliant life thanks to the outstanding work of its cast. Alicia Witt is achingly vulnerable as Holland's awkward but earnest student, Gertrude. Olympia Dukakis conveys steely resolve and affable charm as his no nonsense boss, Principal Jacobs. Terrance Howard is a delight as tone-deaf but determined student, Louis. Jay Thomas personifies laid back likability as Holland's friend and colleague, Coach Meister. William H Macy makes for an excellent foil to Holland's passion for education as tyrannical bureaucrat Vice Principal Wolters. Jean Louisa Kelly balances charm and naivete as dedicated student and aspiring Broadway actress, Rowena. Anthony Natale and Joseph Anderson expertly portrays Holland's deaf son, Cole's, yearning for his his father's acceptance at varying ages. Glenne Headley imbues her performance as his long suffering wife, Iris, with intelligence, warmth, and vulnerability. Even in the midst of superb supporting performances the film belongs to Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland. In Dreyfuss' hands Holland is not just a formulaic ideal that so many teachers are relegated to in cinema. Instead, his depiction of Holland presents a portrait of a complicated man in moments triumph, trials, and tragedy that is a once heartbreaking, humorous, frustrating, and ultimately inspiring.
At once a portrait of one teacher's career and a tribute to the entire teaching profession Mr. Holland's Opus is a film that remains at the head of its class. Through its intelligent and emotionally engaging script the film portrays the life of a teacher with a nuance and complexity that are rarely found in inspirational teacher films. The film's superior performances ensure that it never misses an emotional beat and keep viewers rooting for Mr. Holland and his students until his final performance. As school gets back in session hit the books with Mr. Holland's Opus.
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| "We are your symphony" |
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