Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) – Encore Review 4

“The day they cut the football budget in this state, that will be the end of Western Civilization as we know it! ” – Mr. Holland’s Opus

Number of Times Seen – at least 10 times (Theater in ’95, video, DVD, 9 Jan 2001, 19 Mar 2014, 20 Jul 2017, 13 Jan 2020 and 1 Feb 2023)

Link to original review – Here, Here, Here and Here

Brief Synopsis – An aspiring musician takes a job as a teacher to pay the bills, but this one time ‘gig’ turns into a decades long career.

My Take on it – Amazing film that shows the kind of effect a teacher (or anyone for that matter) can have on others. The film shows the ripple effect so well and it stays so profound no matter how often I watch this movie. Richard Dreyfuss is superb in the title role and very deservingly was nominated for an Oscar for his performance here. The story is broken up into segments, and that helps show the progress of his life, his career and his journey through life which is so emotional to take in. Amazing supporting cast also helps here. The soundtrack is excellent and that adds so much to the atmosphere especially given how the story moves through the decades from the 1960’s to the mid-90’s.

Highly Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Though not mentioned by name, the job offer Cole writes of in his letter home near the end of the movie would have been Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University is the world’s only university with all programs and services are specifically designed to for deaf/hard of hearing students. It was founded in 1864 by an Act of Congress signed into law in 1864 by President Abraham Lincoln and the only college whose diplomas has the signature of the US President, not the president of the university. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10) (no change from original review)