tomsview I can't think of too many movies that transition so beautifully over a long period of time. 30 years in the case of "Mr Holland's Opus".Much of this is down to Richard Dreyfuss as Mr Holland. He seems to age in an unselfconscious manner, covering not only the time span, but also the emotional range.Mr Holland starts out a little self-focused, but grows in character as he overcomes the hurdles life throws up. He wanted to be a composer, but becomes a music teacher. From an ordinary teacher he becomes a good one and then an inspirational one. His dreams for his only child are shattered, but eventually their relationship becomes stronger through adversity. As he begins to take his wife for granted, he is drawn to a young student whose freshness contrasts with the difficult period he is experiencing. However, he realises where his heart lies, and his relationship with his wife is strengthened.There are many lump in the throat moments in the film, because it's so easy to relate to. No doubt liberties were taken with some of Mr Holland's teaching methods, but the film celebrates a love of music as was Mr Holland's intention with his students.Along with the music of the era, Michael Kamen's score carries us seamlessly through the highs and the lows. I'm sure any film composer would have loved to have composed the music for the film as it is more integral to the story than most scoring assignments.Richard Dreyfuss has obviously handled some demons in his life, but he has also made some profound observations on the art of acting and filmmaking that sum it up better than just about anyone I've ever heard.His intuition and insightfulness helped him bring Mr Holland to life."Mr Holland's Opus" captures a truth that was summed up perfectly by Elia Kazan in discussing the work of playwright William Inge, "He had learned from his own life that you have to accept limited happiness, because all happiness is limited, and to expect perfection is the most neurotic thing of all; you must live with the sadness as well as the joy."

Soul Dancer I chose my path as a social worker knowing the financial rewards will never, ever offset the rewards I savor each time a student, client, family member, friend, coworker (etc.) discovers they do in deed(s) change our world, one word, one action, one step at a time.Mr. Holland's Opus (well reviewed in the hundreds of prior reviews) drives home an important fact. That fact? Fact: no matter what one feels about their life accomplishments, it PALES in comparison to what others feel about you.Now, after almost a decade of teaching people how to re-awaken to their fullest sense of worth (via my classes, books, seminars, etc.) I savor this movie in my small DVD collection. (12 DVD's so far since DVD's became publicly available.) I play this DVD in one of my classes to set the stage for a robust journey of self discovery.In gratitude I bow to all who take the risk to balance dreams with deeds. Your balancing act 'is the journey' of a lifetime!

SnoopyStyle Mr Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) is a frustrated musician and composer. He is frustrated at his teaching job. It was supposed to be temporary to pay the bills. But the years pass, his life passes, and he feels he has achieved nothing. But what he discovers is that his life has meaning for all those he has touched over years.This is definitely one of those feel good movies. The individual stories are memorable. The feeling of lost palpable. The moment when he finally connects with his deaf child. That was powerful. All the stories are poignant. Richard Dreyfuss is perfectly suited as the old disillusioned teacher. It's a good cry movie all the way.

anssir66 This is a lovely film about a teacher's career and dreams that never get fulfilled. In the beginning he has to take a teaching job in a high school, with hopes to earn enough to later concentrate on his true love in life, composing.This dream never comes true as the four years that he's planning to teach become thirty years. The magnificent classical piece heard during the opening credits, the grand opus he's dreaming one day to compose, never becomes reality; instead, at the end of the film we hear a considerably different, "inferior" piece as a deliberate contrast, but in the end it doesn't matter to him - he has found his true fulfillment in life in inspiring his students to love music, within the confines of the high school world.One point off for the length, but otherwise highly recommended and heartwarming, tastefully directed movie.