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Movies / On DVD / Music of the Heart
Music of the Heart

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Music of the Heart (1999)

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Reviews Counted:75

Fresh:51

Rotten:24

Average Rating:6.6/10

Consensus: Meryl Streep's depiction of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things transcends, inspires, and entertains.

Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: After her husband leaves her, Roberta Guaspari (Streep) struggles to find a job. When she bumps into an old friend (Quinn), he tells her of a high school that could is without a music teacher. She... After her husband leaves her, Roberta Guaspari (Streep) struggles to find a job. When she bumps into an old friend (Quinn), he tells her of a high school that could is without a music teacher. She meets with the school's principal (Bassett) and states her desire to teach the children the violin. The principal rejects her, citing lack of funding as one of the many excuses why it could never happen. Persistently, she eventually breaks her down and fights to establish a solid, effective program. Ten years later, the program has spread to other schools and is a smashing success. When funds are once again cut and the program is threatened for real, Roberta uses connections to get the injustice printed in the New York Times. A benefit concert ensues at Carnegie Hall, featuring appearances of such luminaries as Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, and Arnold Steinhardt. [More]

Starring: Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Gloria Estefan, Angela Bassett

Starring: Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Gloria Estefan, Angela Bassett, Cloris Leachman, Josh Pais, Jay O. Sanders, Charlie Hofheimer, Kieran Culkin, Jane Leeves

Director: Wes Craven

Director: Wes Craven
Screenwriter: Pamela Gray
Producer: Marianne Maddalena, Alan Miller, Walter Scheuer
Composer: Mason Daring

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 1, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Music Of The Heart
  • Two-time Academy Award(R)-winner Meryl Streep (1983 Best Actress, SOPHIE'S CHOICE; 1980 Best Supporting Actress, KRAMER vs. KRAMER) stars with Angela Bassett (HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK) in a heartwarming, acclaimed true story of how one woman's musical gift affected those who least expected it. A single mother with little more than talent and the determination to make a difference, Roberta Guaspari (Streep) overcame the skepticism of everyone who didn't think she should be teaching violin to students in a tough inner-city neighborhood. But even after a decade of ever-growing popularity and countless success stories, Roberta and her kids must rise to meet an even greater challenge: budget cuts aimed at shutting down her valuable program for good! Also starring Aidan Quinn (PRACTICAL MAGIC) and Grammy-winner Gloria Estefan in a stellar cast, this extraordinary story will inspire anyone who's ever thought their dreams were too far out of reach!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Music of the Heart

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    61 - 80 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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    A generic story of triumph as unengaging as it is unbelievable in its details.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Lawrence Toppman
    Lawrence Toppman
    Charlotte Observer

    Some movies you want to see. Some movies you need to see. Music Of The Heart is one of the latter.

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Liz Braun
    Liz Braun
    Jam! Movies

    Overwrought tearjerker, directed without a shred of subtlety.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Lou Lumenick
    Lou Lumenick
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This movie has an amazing finale.

    Full Review Source: Moviereviews.org | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mac Verstandig
    Mac Verstandig
    Moviereviews.org

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Madeleine Williams
    Madeleine Williams
    Cinematter

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marc Savlov
    Marc Savlov
    Austin Chronicle

    Another utterly bland lump of Hollywood crapola.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mary Elizabeth Williams
    Mary Elizabeth Williams
    Salon.com

    Makes a good case for its message, about the value of music education and the eternal precariousness of its funding.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Melinda Bargreen
    Melinda Bargreen
    Seattle Times

    Craven sends the audience out feeling happy and inspired--which is the very reason why one would buy a ticket.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    One of the year's most heartfelt movies.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Wilmington
    Michael Wilmington
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Some people will warm to Music of the Heart, and for those people the idea of criticizing the film will be like kicking a puppy.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mick LaSalle
    Mick LaSalle
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Nashville Scene | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Noel Murray
    Noel Murray
    Nashville Scene

    There really is a Roberta Guaspari, but this dull, wanly repetitive teacher movie fails to bring her story to life.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Owen Gleiberman
    Owen Gleiberman
    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Peter Rainer
    Peter Rainer
    New York Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    An inspirational, pleasantly diverting but markedly familiar family movie.

    Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Philip Booth
    Philip Booth
    Orlando Weekly

    Music of the Heart doesn't take you anywhere you haven't been before, but it's still an enjoyable ride.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Philip Wuntch
    Philip Wuntch
    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This is really a showcase for Streep, who makes the well-trodden formula sing anew.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Rene Rodriguez
    Rene Rodriguez
    Miami Herald

    Music isn't much more than elementary sentimentality.

    Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Rob Blackwelder
    Rob Blackwelder
    SPLICEDWire

    Most movies claiming to be based on fact pour on the melodrama, but this one basically just sticks to the real story, which has all the emotional wallop that's needed.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    an inspirational story that finds its harmonies not without their share of dissonant notes.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Ross Anthony
    Ross Anthony
    Hollywood Report Card
     
     
    61 - 80 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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