The Opus of a Lifetime (Movie Review)

WARNING:

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS.

PLEASE WATCH THE MOVIE FIRST BEFORE YOU READ.

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"It's not about the direction you take.

It's about the direction you give."

-Mr. Holland's Opus, 1995

The story opens with an inspired pianist that dreamed to lead an orchestra with his own masterpiece. Later on, he realizes that in order for him to be able to lead an orchestra, he must first find the orchestra that will play his music. And the job of being a teacher struck in his mind. More specifically, a MUSIC TEACHER. When he reached the point of actually teaching the students music and lecturing them about certain topics, he wasn't very happy with the results. Especially when the Music exams came. Nobody.. And I mean, NOBODY got a passing grade in their exams simply because they had no passion in what Mr. Holland is trying to teach. But there was this one student that was really willing to learn playing the instrument she had though she had a hard time with it. So, Mr. Holland extended his time to teach her. And there comes another student that Mr. Holland extended his help with. And another and another. Though there comes a time in his life that his deaf son was getting jealous with the students his father taught since he cared to teach his students more than his own son about music. But he couldn't explain the fact that he simply can't do it because he's deaf and couldn't hear music.

Later on, the scenario grows and grows until Mr. Holland grows old. When that time came, he was already being confronted by his previous students before he was this 'old' that they had to remove the music program in the school since they were taking budget cuts. Mr. Holland tried to fight for what was right but he couldn't. And since he was going to retire anyway, so be it, he thought.

He made his final walk in the halls of the school. And when he finally opened the main doors of the school, all his students and previous students were gathered outside. They applauded him and Mr. Holland took his walk. This was the time that there was a huge program for the saying of farewells to Mr. Holland. And, wouldn't you believe.. The girl he used to teach the first time he became a teacher in the institution, would have a bright future. She was the ambassador(?) now of the country and made a speech for Mr. Holland. During those parts of the movie, I broke and burst into tears. Especially when the time came wherein they asked Mr. Holland to lead the Mr. Holland's Orchestra for his final performance. It was what he wanted all along. And as his former student said in her speech, "There wasn't a life you didn't touch.." which meant that every person and every student he ever met has his/her lives touched by Mr. Holland.

I can completely relate to this movie since Mr. Enguero (our Music teacher) made us watch and understand it. And I had to agree with what the movie was trying to tell us. That it's not about the direction you take, it's about the direction you give to others. I could completely compare Mr. Holland to our music teacher, Mr. Enguero. He has touched a lot of lives and I'm completely sure that he'll touch a lot more in the future.

So, to all those music teachers out there, I salute you all!

Especially to our very own Mr. Enguero! Sir, this one's for you!