7.0
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Drama, Music • 1995 • 143 min • Older Kids (7+)
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
Overview
In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.
Starring Cast
Richard Dreyfuss • Glenne Headly • Jay Thomas
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Family Values: Strongly Traditional
Viewer Rating
7.0
Overview
In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.
Starring Cast
Richard Dreyfuss • Glenne Headly • Jay Thomas
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
Political: Center
Confidence: High
The film focuses on the apolitical themes of personal fulfillment, the enduring value of music education, and the profound impact of a dedicated teacher on a community over decades. It champions the universal importance of arts in schools and the individual's capacity to inspire.
Diversity: Low
Confidence: High
The film features a primarily traditional cast, centered on a white male protagonist. The narrative positively frames traditional identities without explicit DEI themes or critiques.
Secondary
LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: High
The film portrays a student implied to be gay with dignity and complexity. He faces bullying but receives empathetic support from his music teacher, Mr. Holland, who encourages his talent and identity. The narrative frames external prejudice as negative, affirming the student's worth despite his tragic death in the Vietnam War.
Family Values: Strongly Traditional
Confidence: High
Mr. Holland's Opus portrays a family unit centered on a lifelong heterosexual marriage that endures significant challenges over decades. The narrative celebrates marital commitment, parental dedication, and the strength derived from traditional family structures.
Trans: N/A
Confidence: High
Mr. Holland's Opus does not feature any transgender characters or themes. The story centers on a music teacher's journey and his impact on students and family over several decades, without incorporating elements related to transsexual identity or experiences.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
The film features original characters created for its screenplay. No characters were previously established with a different gender in source material, prior installments, or real-world history.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
Mr. Holland's Opus features original characters created for the film. There is no prior source material or historical basis establishing a canonical race for any character that was subsequently changed in the film's portrayal.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.4
7.0
Critic Ratings
7.6
5.9
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