Passionate, heartfelt film without the treacle

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2007)

Truly one of the most heartfelt films of the last 40 years, this picture chronicles not only the life's journey of an artist who had to sacrifice his own passion for expedience, it encapsulates the journey of a country led down and let down by mediocre minds. Richard Dreyfuss may have had the role of a lifetime in his performance of music teacher Glenn Holland, and his extraordinary range shows he has been one of the most underrated talents in American acting. This is an uplifting movie the whole family can watch and get something out of: a movie of uncompromising depth that doesn't pander or cut corners to fit into a formula. The movie is emotional without being sappy, and makes its many points without cliché. A nearly perfect movie to watch more than once.