Music of the Heart (1999)

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer (WGA):

Pamela Gray (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

She gave them a gift they could never imagine. They gave the system a fight it would never forget.

Plot:

Story of a schoolteacher's struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids.

Plot Keywords:

Violin | School | Teacher | Music Teacher | Harlem New York City

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Roberta Guaspari
Cloris Leachman	...	Assunta Guaspari
Henry Dinhofer	...	Lexi at 5
Michael Angarano	...	Nick at 7
Robert Ari	...	Supervisor
Aidan Quinn	...	Brian Turner
Teddy Coluca	...	Taxi Driver
Angela Bassett	...	Principal Janet Williams
Josh Pais	...	Dennis Rausch
Barbara Gonzalez	...	Janet's Secretary
Jade Yorker	...	DeSean at 11
Victoria Gómez	...	Lucy at 10 (as Victoria Gomez)
Justin Pierre Edmund	...	Bongo Kid
Justin 'DJ' Spaulding	...	Naeem Adisa at 9 (as Justin Spaulding)
Zoe Sternbach-Taubman	...	Guadalupe at 9

Also Known As:

50 Violins (USA) (working title)
Fiddlefest (USA) (working title)
Music of My Heart (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief mild language and sensuality.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | Taiwan:GP | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Craven-Maddalena Films

Trivia:

Wes Craven said he would only direct Scream 3 (2000) if he could also direct this movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: In one of the classroom scenes early in the movie, Streep is shown wearing boots; when the camera comes back to her later in the same scene, she's wearing shoes instead.

Quotes:

Roberta Guaspari: [after finding out her violin program has just been cut] There's got to be some way we can fight this!
Janet Williams: Fight it for what? I don't have any extra programs I can give them instead.
Roberta Guaspari: Ohhh, I see! After 10 years, after 1400 kids have learned the violin, "this is just an extra program!"
Janet Williams: You know I don't feel that way! And you know *damn* well I've been standing by you all these years! You think I haven't noticed what you've done for these kids?
Roberta Guaspari: Well, then *do* something!
Janet Williams: I have been on that phone for the past three days trying to do something! They're sick of hearing my voice! Believe me, there are other people around here I would *much* rather get rid of! But as far as the board is concerned, violin classes are not a priority! I don't have the power here, Roberta.

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Meryl Streep (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Con Sandunga

Inspiring, Heart-warming Film Thanks To Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was made for the part of Roberta Guaspari, a woman who is convinced she can teach ghetto chidren to play the violin, one of the most difficult of all instruments to learn. Against all odds, she perseveres to convince the parents of the valuable lessons that can be learned through music. If you liked Mr. Holland's Opus, chances are that you will love Music of the Heart. Meryl Streep makes this movie work although she gets some acting help from Aidan Quinn, Angela Bassett and Cloris Leachman. Even though it is a little overly dramatic at times, it still touches you with its message and its spirit.