The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I'm sure I've said it in one or more of my other reviews, but I don't think I could ever be a teacher. I just don't have the patience for it, and I have to admire someone like Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) who can put aside those feelings of frustration when it seems like he's not connecting with his students, or when they're just not that interested in what he's teaching. The story actually starts out that way, and I could identify with Holland the first time he erupts in class, only with me, it would probably be for the entire semester. So I acknowledge that deficiency on my part, and give teachers all the credit in the world they deserve. The interesting thing is how Mr. Holland found himself stuck as a teacher much the same way young student Gertrude Lang remained stuck as an ineffective musician. Holland needed to reach into his inner reservoir of humanity to strike just the right chord in order for Gertrude to overcome the obstacle that hindered her ability. Once that hurdle was cleared, she was able to participate in the band successfully, even if it was not her career ambition. I liked the way that scenario played out. I think we probably all have had teachers in our past that struck just that right chord to make classroom participation enjoyable and steer us in the right direction. It wasn't until Holland introduced his class to the connection between Bach and rock n' roll that he really hit his stride. Making subjects fun is an admirable skill that a lot of teachers just don't get. It's unfortunate however that Holland couldn't translate some of that teaching ability to his home life and relationship with his own son. But that in time did also improve, a case of Holland learning how to be a talented human being as well as a talented teacher. So all in all, "Mr. Holland's Opus" is an inspiring story, showing how a single individual can affect the lives of so many in ways that are both visible and invisible. Every school deserves to have at least one teacher on board like Mr. Holland, inspiring students and faculty alike.

Richard Dreyfuss, director Stephen Herek and screenwriter Patrick Sheane Duncan attempt to pull off a cinematic hat-trick with "Mr. Holland's Opus," yet this feat is impossible when none of them appears to know anything about music or high school music bands. Their film is pure sentiment, not existing as anything but a formula nosegay thanks to the built-in nostalgia factor and the 'emotional' score from Michael Kamen. Duncan's script is ostensibly about an indefatigable music teacher and his students, their scattered triumphs and lumpy relationships as seen through many years' time, though Herek turns the proceedings into a recycled lovefest. The picture is certainly well-produced, though the shameless, plastic-coated sincerity with which it was made is nearly enough to sink Dreyfuss' Oscar-nominated lead performance. *1/2 from ****

A frustrated composer (Richard Dreyfus) finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher.At first, the story is not about teaching the students, but learning to teach. This is really about the growth of Holland and not such students as Lang. For anyone to learn, they must first care about what they are learning. So one can explain things clearly and get nowhere unless they present it in a context that sparks interest. (Indeed, one can imagine how many things they were "taught" and forgot until it finally became relevant to them.) And later we get the deaf angle. It seems a little forced and almost exploitative. But it does draw that interesting connection to Beethoven, who himself was deaf. How can one of the greatest composers of all time make music he was not able to hear?

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.