Mr. Holland’s Opus

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, etc.
Director: Stephen Herek
Rated: PG
Year of Release: 1995
Video Release Date: April 2, 2002

Composer Glenn Holland is forced to take a job teaching music to pay the rent. Meanwhile, in his spare time, he strives to achieve the one goal he thinks will justify his life: writing one memorable piece of music. But as the years slip by with his main goal unfulfilled, he finds that teaching itself has surprisingly become the life fulfillment he never suspected it could be. Through the way he teaches music, he helps many students to change their negative view of themselves into healthy self-esteem. This helps Holland to increasingly value himself.

Ask Yourself:

- How did Glenn Holland first think negatively of himself?
- How, do you think, was he able to let go of his self-doubts?
- Imagine yourself as Glenn when he let go of his negative beliefs.
- What distorted thoughts about yourself are dropping away as you “become” him?
- How does this feel?
- How do you see yourself and your environment now?