i remember making a pact , right after ` patch adams ' , to not be easily be suckered by movies dripping with sentimentality .
but darn it , ` music of the heart ' is just layered with feel - good material and bright characterizations .
it 's hard to dislike a movie that uses such skill with it 's manipulation .
in addition , it 's also a terrific family film .
this is the true story of violin teacher
roberta guaspari , who fought the school board to keep the musical program active in a handful of inner city harlem schools .
it could also be described as ` mrs .
streep 's opus ' .
yes , meryl streep brings her dramatic clout to the demanding role of guaspari , and that brings both good news and bad .
out of the gate , possibly because of her distracting star power and the rushed writing , it is relatively difficult to identify with roberta 's character and grasp her academic point - of - view .
she is very strict with her students , but what insight does that create into the story ?
slowly but surely , we begin to recognize the intentions of the character , and show admiration for the thoughtfulness and human feeling that streep has once again applied .
one thoroughly interesting fact about ` music of the heart ' lies with the unlikely presence in the director 's chair : horror veteran wes craven .
after leaving an impression with the ` scream ' films and the original ` nightmare on elm street ' , craven has attempted a precarious cross - over to drama .
at first , his inexperience with the genre is fairly obvious , but as the film progresses craven finds a surprisingly comfortable niche with directing this material .
it does n't carry the heart - warming courage of ` mr .
holland 's opus ' , but ` music of the heart ' is casually assured and filled with little morsels of dramatic truth .
the tag team of streep and craven works better than you would anticipate .
yes , oscar could come calling once again for meryl streep , but it 's the solid ensemble cast that makes ` music of the heart ' work .
angela bassett displays her usual forceful stamina as janet williams , the principal at an inner city school who initially does n't hire roberta because of her lack of experience .
blue - eyed adian quinn is endearing , as always , playing a new love interest .
gloria estefan also delivers in the tiny role of a supportive second - grade teacher , and the three lead actresses together produce a flaming fireball of estrogenic force .
it 's like a schoolteacher 's version of ` thelma and louise ' , in a restrained but effective manner .
the movie tackles more issues than just guaspari 's teaching of violin .
there 's some powerful moments between roberta and her two sons , who must cope when their father leaves them for another woman .
in it 's dramatic build - up
, the movie manages to produce some authentic moments of feeling and warmth .
it 's a good movie for anyone to see , although missing out on the experience would not be a life - altering decision .
it 's commendable of wes craven to be attempting such a difficult cross - over , and also for achieving his intricate goal .
watching this heartfelt chick flick about morals and musical instruments , who may ask yourself : this is the guy who directed ` scream ' ?
of course , when the third installment of that series comes around in february 2000 ( with craven directing ) , you may find yourself wondering : this is the guy who directed ` music of the heart ' ?
mission accomplished , wes .
thankfully , there is no layer of artificial sentiment covering the film .
in it 's entirety , it 's a wholesome and agreeable movie for the whole family , despite the periodic flaws that surface every once in awhile .
the child actors are cute and perform up to par , even if some of their problems are clich ?
d and predictable in the extreme .
the mother who does n't want her son to be learning ` white man 's music ' , the unexpected casuality .
. .
basically everything is there .
it does n't strike the perfect chord , but ` music of the heart ' is highly convincing .
the uplifting true story of roberta guaspari could have been told better , but ` music of the heart ' is still edifying enough to properly divulge her morals .
solid ensemble cast manages to produce some authentic moments of feeling and warmth produce a flaming fireball of estrogenic force finds a surprisingly comfortable niche brings her dramatic clout works better than you would anticipate a wholesome and agreeable movie for the whole family there 's some powerful moments a good movie for anyone to see are cute and perform up to par highly convincing a terrific family film