ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996             TAG: 9601230050
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 10   EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: KATHERINE REED STAFF WRITER 

MORE THAN A MUSIC LESSON

In the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus," Richard Dreyfuss - the title character - tries to explain to his wife how it takes him a little while to like what he ends up loving best.

The music of John Coltrane, for example, he recalls disliking the first time he heard it. But he played it again and again until he could not stop playing it, and the music developed an importance far exceeding the notes on the page.

There is no better way to describe how this movie works on you.

It begins slowly, almost haltingly, then gathers strength and purpose the way a good life does.

In the meantime, it has a lot to say about how people learn - not just in the classroom, but from experience.

There has never been a more reluctant teacher than Glen Holland (Dreyfuss), who gives up life on the road playing the piano to make a more reliable living as a high school music teacher. His wife Iris (Glenne Headly) assures him he still will have time to compose, that in four years they will have enough money for him to quit and do his creative thing full time.

Life intervenes, however, and Mr. Holland discovers that "this teaching gig" is a whole lot harder than it looks. His principal, Mrs. Jacobs (Olympia Dukakis) has his number from the start and chides him that he may have a handle on knowledge, but he doesn't know much about how or why to pass it on.

First one student - a frustrated clarinet player named Gertrude (Alicia Witt, a terrific actress) - then another force Mr. Holland to think about what music means to him. But it isn't until his son Cole is born that he really begins to let go of some of his selfishness.

The process is decades long.

Like many movies - including "Forrest Gump" - that cover a span of years, "Mr. Holland's Opus" uses some familar film shorthand to speed us through the years. Helicopter blades? Vietnam, of course. Richard Nixon's flaccid face on the television?

You get the picture.

And make no mistake about it: This movie tugs on the heartstrings. If you can leave dry-eyed, well, check your pulse.

But it earns its emotional currency honestly, for the most part.

Director Stephen Herek, whose credits include "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "The Mighty Ducks" (go figure), apparently knew enough to not slip on the sop. But without Dreyfuss, who delivers the best performance of his career, things could have gone awry. His Mr. Holland hits the perfect note and holds it so carefully that it is impossible to not get completely lost in the character.

Teachers will chortle with recognition throughout. Coaches will love Jay Thomas' Bill Meister.

And just about anyone else who has ever stumbled upon the lesson that the most difficult things are the most worth doing will find "Mr. Holland's Opus" worth a listen.

Mr. Hollands Opus

*** 1/2

A Hollywood Pictures release showing at Salem Valley 8. Rated PG for mild language.

LENGTH: Medium:   68 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Reluctant at first to serve as a high school teacher, 
          Glen Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) discovers his life's calling is to 
          share his love of music with his students, including the timid but 
          talented Gertrude (Alicia Witt). color.