Weaving love and music into the fabric of life

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2007)

Although this is not entirely Richard Dreyfuss's film, surrounded as he is by an excellent cast, he holds the film entirely on his shoulders. He has made many films over the years and has hit some memorable home runs. Think of Close Encounters, Jaws and you've got between the two films some very big hits which delivered terrific entertainment fun. I've enjoyed his work over the years and even his lesser known works such as "Tin Men" are quite enjoyable and have worn well over the years.
In "Mr. Holland's Opus", Dreyfuss is given lots of depth to his character and he wasted no time filling in the form. The subject and script must have excited him because his performance is strong, centered, not overblown or over sentimentalized, touching, emotional when necessary and reserved when called for. There is an especially magical moment when he is in a close up with the student who excelled at singing (can't recall her name). They have an obvious sexual undercurrent going and we are led to believe, breath by breath that they will embrace and yet Dreyfuss takes his body language just to the furthest edge and then holds. The tension collapses when someone walks in the room and we are amazed that they did not kiss. It's a really great scene that aspiring actors should study; here is a pro who shows how to act with finesse.
The story is terrific and the plot carefully includes many characters and although some verge on stereotypes, they all appear quite believable and human and much of this has to do with the quality of the actors and the lines they emote. There is a strong impulse to drive this film into a 'heart on your sleeves' climax and it does stray briefly into this mode. However, by the time the film is over the build up of love for this man is so immense and overpowering that the surprise he gets at the very end just makes us all weep with joy.
I especially enjoyed how his character finally learned about his own failures as a father and rather than sink into depression and recrimination, he rose to that challenge in the same insightful way his entire teaching career was handled.
The film is a complete joy from beginning to end; the cast as I say was superb. Given a terrific story and sensitive direction from Stephen Herek, this is as good as film entertainment ever gets. Keep the tissue box close at hand; it's a tearful joy and not easily forgotten.