Movie recommendation: Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)

This is one of those movies that touches me every time I see it - for a somewhat unusual reason - it got the entire messaging wrong! Here are a few thoughts from my side, yours when you watch the movie:

1) Mr. Holland, an aspiring composer, doesn't find time to complete a symphony he's working on as he's expected to continuously work overtime by the school where he teaches music appreciation. Towards the end of the movie, he is told that although he couldn't complete his composition, the students he has taught and nurtured are his symphony.

This is a very very flawed argument. The concept of a 40 hour week was created for a reason! People have their personal lives above and beyond work and they have all the right to pursue their personal dreams once work hours are over. This understanding needs to be firm at every workplace. In the context of this movie: When someone carries beautiful music (or some other form of knowledge) within, conditions have to be created for that music (knowledge) to come out. There is no glory in that not happening! Teaching responsibilities can very well be brought to balance if more wisdom prevails.

2) Even with his tremendous contribution that earned him the above praise, he is "let go" along with the arts teacher because of funding constraints. The entire music, arts and dramatics program is cut because the city reduces the budget for schools.

Now, any sensible educator will tell you that arts are as important in school education as mathematics, science and other subjects. Some kids grow up to be novelists, some musicians, some mathematicians, scientists and engineers. All these pursuits are equally important in an educated society. If there is a funding constraint, then, starting from the principal, salaries can be reduced for all teachers! A school principal making such a choice is a disgrace. Of course, the bigger disgrace is school budgets reducing instead of increasing!

As Mr. Holland, the music teacher being let go, remarks: "If you cut the arts, sooner or later these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about."

He's right.

3) There is a logical flaw at the end of the movie: The lady who showers the praise mentioned in Point 1 above on him is an ex-student of his who has grown to hold a very important position in the city administration. If she feels so strongly about his contribution through teaching, she very well could have used her power to find the funds required to keep him and the arts teacher (instead of them getting dumped!).

It's an excellent movie! Pick it up if you haven't seen it already 🙂! You will see a brilliant man with a heart of gold getting chewn to bits by a thankless society and false ideals 😏!