Music Within

2007

Music Within

Critics Consensus

Music Within is a well-intentioned but pedestrian production of a story that deserves better treatment.

33%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 42

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,919

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Movie Info

The story of celebrated public speaker Richard Pimentel comes to the screen in this biographical drama starring Ron Livingston, Melissa George, Rebecca De Mornay, and Hector Elizondo. As a young man, Pimentel (Ron Livingston) realized he had a remarkable gift for public speaking. Pimentel's idol is College Bowl founder Dr. Padrow (Elizondo), but upon trying out for Dr. Padrow, the ambitious young speaker is informed that he won't have anything to talk about until he has lived a full life. Realizing that there is some merit to Dr. Padrow's observation, Pimenel subsequently enlists in the military and prepares for duty in Vietnam. Later, while fighting on the battlefield, Pimentel loses his hearing and returns home disabled. Frustrated when others inform him that he will never achieve his dreams due to the fact that he is disabled, the determined veteran makes it his mission to prove them wrong. But it isn't as much about changing others' perceptions of the disabled as it is about altering their perceptions of themselves, and with a little help from foul-mouthed, cerebral palsy-stricken genius Art Honeyman (Michael Sheen), free-spirited beauty Christine (George), and mercurial, hard-drinking veteran Mike Stoltz (Yul Vázquez), Pimentel will play a pivotal role in creating the Americans With Disabilities Act, and finally discover his inner music.

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Cast

Ron Livingston
as Richard Pimentel
Melissa George
as Christine
Michael Sheen
as Art Honeyman
Yul Vázquez
as Mike Stoltz
Rebecca De Mornay
as Richard's Mom
Hector Elizondo
as Ben Padrow
Leslie Nielsen
as Bill Austin
Ridge Canipe
as Young Richard
Paul Michael
as Joe
Clint Jung
as Richard's Dad
John Livingston
as Mr. Parks
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News & Interviews for Music Within

Critical Consensus: Life Has Its Ups And Downs, Darjeeling Is Transporting
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Critic Reviews for Music Within

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (20)

  • The real world needs more dogged folks willing to tilt at windmills. But movies often don't do their stories justice, and that has happened again here.

    Nov 9, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Claudia Puig

    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • Pimentel's persistence and eventual triumph over prejudice and discrimination is a story worth telling, if only on a shoestring.

    Nov 9, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Susan Walker

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • Salawich's film is entertaining and leaves you with warm feelings from learning about this man who turned adversity into good for so many others.

    Nov 9, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Marta Barber

    Miami Herald
    Top Critic

  • This offbeat biopic is driven by Ron Livingston's engaging performance as Richard Pimentel, a gifted public speaker who lost his hearing in the Vietnam war and then spearheaded the disability rights movement in the U.S.

    Nov 2, 2007 | Full Review…

    Andrea Gronvall

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • This is a nice little well-meaning idea for a movie, but even with three writers on the payroll, it never really catches fire.

    Oct 31, 2007

    Rex Reed

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • I wanted to like this film

    Oct 29, 2007

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Music Within

  • Dec 01, 2012
    Could this story have been told better? Yes! But, fantastic performances by Ron Livingston and Michael Sheen. Makes the movie worth your time. This story deserved to be told and I am so glad it finally was.
    Jason R Super Reviewer
  • Jun 27, 2011
    The story of a guy that is remarkable and accomplished great things. Although at times I feel the story is too much about his personal life than his professional life which brings his accomplishments. Some great people's lives do not make great movies.
    Thomas J Super Reviewer
  • Apr 30, 2008
    An interesting story that wasn't executed to it's potential. Characters are introduced all the time, but fail to be developed properly or make the story flow. Still, Michael Sheen delivers a performance that must be seen.
    Quinto W Super Reviewer
  • Apr 22, 2008
    After school special made watchable by the cerebral paulsy guy.
    Curtis L Super Reviewer
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