Hitchcoc I like the intent behind this film. Having been a teacher for well over forty years, I know that there is a serious connection between success in school and life and arts education. This is a story of a dedicated teacher (although he is dedicated to the exclusion of just about anything else, including his family). He is played by Richard Dreyfuss and he does quite well, although Dreyfuss seems to play the exact same personality in just about everyone of his films. He touched on classical music before as a young pianist in "The Competition" with Amy Irving. Of course, his superhuman portrayal is almost a bit beyond the efforts of the most dedicated teachers. The one thing I do have trouble with is his close relationship with a couple female students. I know that even in the time of this film, Mr. Holland may not have an opus; he would have had another number in front of his picture. He was playing with fire. But all that aside, it portrays an excited, dedicated person who touched the lives of others.

SnoopyStyle 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.

JoeKarlosi A heartfelt performance by Richard Dreyfuss is the strongest asset of this good, though not great, movie. Dreyfuss was nominated for Best Actor in playing Glenn Holland, a young man who dreams of one day completing a memorable piece of great classical music. In order to make ends meet and feed his wife and deaf son, he must lower his standards by taking on a frustrating teacher's job at a high school. Holland initially has a tough time trying to interest his lethargic students in music appreciation, but his efforts ultimately pay off as he begins to make a difference in their lives. Spanning a period of 30 years from about 1965 to 1995, the film does not successfully realize that transition as well as it might have. For example, I was able to spot a number of chronological errors in how the montage of passing years was represented. But one personal highlight in the film for me involved Holland's devastation upon learning of the murder of John Lennon in 1980. *** out of ****

namashi_1 Richard Dreyfuss is a terrific actor. His Oscar-Winning role in 'The Goodbye Girl', has remained as a topic. And I believe, 'Mr. Holland's Opus' is a another film, that uses the potential of this veteran actor, and utilizes him to the optimum.As a film, 'Mr. Holland's Opus' is an interesting film, a neat film, that makes a memorable protagonist. Presented as a video biography, of the 30-year career of the eponymous lead character, Glenn Howard, who is a music teacher.Glenn Howard's journey is well-written and offers heartfelt moments, with a stellar performance by Dreyfuss. Stephen Herek directs this story with maturity. Cinematography, Editing & Background Score, are worth a mention.Dreyfuss earned a Oscar and Golden-Globe Nomination for his Performance here, for Best Actor, and deserved to. This is one of his best performances to date. He makes Glenn Howard memorable.On the whole, A Must for Dreyfuss fanatics.