beautiful and touching film with a lousy ending

Rating: 5/10 (17 May 2003)

I can't speak for others but know that I had a "Mr. Holland" in my young life (an English teacher as opposed to music teacher). And, I know that countless other teachers give so much of themselves to their students. Because of this, I can't think of anyone except the meanest and most self-centered schoolmates I've known who would think of this film's ending as anything but a travesty. Had I been Holland, the farewell scene would not have made me feel fulfilled. It would have made me feel betrayed. Worse, it would have made me feel as if I'd taught my students nothing ... that they'd grown up to become tight-fisted penny-pinching hypocrites who would deny their own children the same experiences they themselves claimed to appreciate. The ending of this film is the opposite of the ending to "A Christmas Carol" ... only this time, Scrooge's ethics won out.