On M List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
8/15
8/15:
For Mr. Holland's Opus, I didn't see Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Holland but Mr. Holland in Richard Dreyfuss.
In other words, it's been a wonderful piece of acting. What I like is twofold: Holland's distant relationship
with his deaf son and his experiences as a music teacher. There aren't many films that cast people who are actually deaf, and
they usually propagate myths about deaf people. This one gets everything
right about Cole and the nature of his relationship with the parents.
Most of the time, deaf children and their parents are strangers to each other due to communication issues. Parents don't
bother putting in the effort, whether it's through voice or sign. Instead, they're sent away to a state residential
school for the deaf.
When Cole or his mother signs, it's clear, crisp, and articulate. But when the father signs, it's choppy, incomplete,
and rudimentary which indicates he doesn't spend a lot of time with his son. Instead, he devotes himself to his students
because he can teach them music skills; with his son, he finds the task futile.
Hence, it's hard for the average viewer, due to not having sufficient background, to understand the fracture between
father and son. Although there are key moments taken in context, he or she misses out the little details. Meanwhile, I'm not sure
about the use of flashing lights to decode music for the deaf. Maybe it works for the hard of hearing, but the deaf? I
don't think so.
Mr. Holland's battles as teacher are realistic, and anyone who has been in his position can relate to them. Of
course, music and art programs are usually the victim of budget cuts because they're viewed as irrelevant in the world of
standardized tests. That's a shame when football should be the first to go for being so utterly pointless in life.
Although Mr. Holland's Opus seems flawless, it's too long, and some of the running length should be
spent on the exploration of Mr. Holland's relationship with his deaf son and different students. Instead, it sticks with
the same motif to fill in the time. The love subplot that's centered around Rowena is ridiculous which sets up a
stereotype that teachers can take advantage of a student sexually and vice versa. It would be nice if Rowena showed up at
the end to neutralize the effect, but she didn't.
Regardless, the performances are decent. I like Glenne Headly and Jay Thomas as Mr. Holland's wife and the
football coach, respectively. Many kudos to the filmmakers for casting real deaf people. Although I'm not a fan of William H. Macy, he's
spot-on with his character. By the way, I saw the film
twenty years ago, but I never knew that the drummer was Terrence Howard. It's because he didn't become popular until
2005 when Hustle & Flow came out.
All in all, I prefer Mr. Holland's Opus over Goodbye, Mr. Chips.