MovieChat Forums > Mr. Holland's Opus (1996) Discussion > A terrible movie if you are an educator

A terrible movie if you are an educator

posted 21 years ago by hornsmoke76
99 replies | jump to latest

I remember MENC (National Association for Music Education) backing this movie like it was nobody's business, but after it came out they suddenly stopped all the hoopla.

I am a music teacher and I am embarrassed that this film is often considered THE film about our profession. Now I know how math teachers feel about "Stand and Deliver". I find more inspiration in "Drumline" and "Leader of the Band" than in this Hollywood fluff.

Whoever wrote the summary of this film is pretty accurate, except I believe that music is an intellectual AS WELL AS an emotional art form. Unfortunately, this film relies more on an emotional plot than on an intellectual statement.

[–] trishanddon 15 years ago

It does however dispell the myth that teachers have an easy job.

[–] oceaneyes213 15 years ago

Yeah, it's interesting that you have a problem with this movie. Because I have taken many music classes in my life, and all of them showed us this exact movie. They loved it.

[–] am_buglet_82 15 years ago

I was introduced to this movie by my 10th grade music teacher...lol.

-Amanda

"She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales in storybooks written by rabbits"

[–] Jack_1515 15 years ago

As an educator myself, and the son of an high school principal who also loved the movie. It is, after all, emotions that stir us to action, not an intellectual statement. Besides, we go to movies to be entertained. If you want an intellectual statement, read philospohy.

If you are embarassed by the movie than ask yourself how will your students remember you.

[–] monsieurdl 15 years ago

I have to ask you seriously- "Drumline" isn't Hollywood fluff as well?

You must remember that this is a MOVIE, and not a documentary or other investigative piece... of course it is going to be emotional. In your criticism, you fail to mention why this movie is so embarrassing, which is quite odd. In a society where it seems to be only acceptable to do a movie based on education if it has cool kids doing some sort of dancing, or playing endless classic hits, or some sort of love story throughout, it goes against the typical plot.

You may call it fluff, but I call it inspiration, and a genuine affection for the teaching profession on film. Sometimes teaching isn't cool or hip, or all sunshine, and I'm glad that at least sometimes a film like this is made.

[–] ChickWhisperer 14 years ago

It's a movie, not your biography.
Rather than turn your nose up, perhaps you could author a script that embodies your intellectual themes along with the emotional?
Since perhaps 4 people would go see that movie, stick to teaching kids the doe ray me thing.

[–] califor123 14 years ago

To: hornsmoke76...

You're ridiculous.

I loved the movie. It made me wish I had spent more time practicing. You're just sour grapes.

The movie wasn't made to please music teachers. It was made to please ME. And it did.

Sure glad I didn't have you as a teacher.

[–] HiFiAudioGuy 12 years ago

Ha, funny. My former high school music teacher, back in the early 90's, left his wife and married one of his music students.

So the movie doesn't seem so far off the beaten path to me.