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Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Patrick Sheane Duncan (written by)
Release Date:
19 January 1996 (USA)
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Tagline:
We are your symphony Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life. more
Plot:
A frustrated composer finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 5 wins
&
4 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(21 articles)
50 Essential Foreign Films 2000-2008 (Part 1) - Spotlight on French Cinema
(From The Movie Fanatic. 2 September 2009, 4:17 AM, PDT)
50 Essential Foreign Films 2000-2008 (Part 1) - Spotlight on French Cinema
(From The Movie Fanatic. 2 September 2009, 4:17 AM, PDT)
(From The Movie Fanatic. 2 September 2009, 4:17 AM, PDT)
50 Essential Foreign Films 2000-2008 (Part 1) - Spotlight on French Cinema
(From The Movie Fanatic. 2 September 2009, 4:17 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Oh for the love of crumbcake...
more (133 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Richard Dreyfuss | ... | Glenn Holland |
 | Glenne Headly | ... | Iris Holland |
 | Jay Thomas | ... | Bill Meister |
 | Olympia Dukakis | ... | Principal Jacobs |
 | William H. Macy | ... | Vice Principal Wolters (as W.H. Macy) |
 | Alicia Witt | ... | Gertrude Lang |
 | Terrence Howard | ... | Louis Russ |
 | Damon Whitaker | ... | Bobby Tidd |
 | Jean Louisa Kelly | ... | Rowena Morgan |
 | Alexandra Boyd | ... | Sarah Olmstead |
| Nicholas John Renner | ... | Cole at 6 Years Old |
| Joseph Anderson | ... | Cole at 15 Years Old |
| Anthony Natale | ... | Cole at 28 Years Old |
 | Joanna Gleason | ... | Adult Gertrude |
| Beth Maitland | ... | Deaf School Principal |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for mild language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
143 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L |
South Korea:All |
Philippines:G |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Finland:S |
Germany:6 (w) |
Portugal:M/12 |
Spain:T |
Sweden:Btl |
UK:PG |
Singapore:PG |
USA:PG (certificate no. 33797)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The song young Gertrude Lang learns on the clarinet is "Stranger on the Shore" by Acker Bilk.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Shortly after Mr. Holland's son opens a window, causing papers to fly all over the room, a medium shot shows a young man sitting in a chair. He stands up. When the camera cuts to a long shot, he's back in the chair, and stands up again.
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Quotes:
Bill Meister:
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Coach Meister. Your marching buddy.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in "Best! Movies! Ever!: Hot for Teacher (#1.21)" (2007)
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Soundtrack:
A LOVER'S CONCERTO
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (133 total)
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So many people have complained about the Gertrude Lang character (Alicia Witt), Holland's interaction with her, and the purpose of the character, and I am simply amazed at the hostility.
1) "Playing the sunset" was Holland's way of getting Gertrude to relax so she could play the notes fluidly. They both knew that she didn't sound professional, and wasn't going to. The idea was to get her just above the level of making a fool of herself as she did the first time he called on her in class. Then she could, and did, perform in the band without dragging down the whole ensemble.
2) Her goal was not to be a professional musician. Did no one else hear her speech about "I just wanted to be good at *something*"? She listed all the fabulous achievements of her parents and siblings, and concluded, "I'm the only one who's..." The missing word would have been "useless" or "worthless". Or "a failure". Thirty years later she's the governor (not the mayor!), because in 1966, Holland helped her gain confidence for the first time.
3) She wasn't "wasting" Holland's efforts by going into politics. Art, music and theater education don't exist solely to create professional artists, musicians and actors. They also exist to give young people an opportunity for change and growth, even if they never use a paintbrush again.
I liked that plot twist. Almost every high school has an alumnus who has achieved something in art or entertainment, but a lot of people sell one painting or appear in one film and become a hero to their home town. But there are only fifty states, and it takes an extraordinary amount of drive to become governor of one of them. It's unlikely that she would have taken that first step towards empowerment without Holland.