I feel robbed by the director, Wes Craven, that I was unable to give a rating of 8 to this movie, instead of a 7. This movie had everything; good acting, name-brand main actors and actresses, a compelling story, social pertinence and a theme of victory over adversity. All the things that I admire and enjoy in a film. The reasons I was only prepared to give what I deem a passing grade to Music of the Heart are these; 1.) What did Mrs. Guaspari do to motivate and engage these students? Bark out orders? 2.) Why, in the absence of Mrs. Guaspari's inspiration, did the students (individually or collectively) want to take up the violin? (We never really get to meet any of the students, nor find out what is important (or at least intriguing) to them. 3.) Why does Mrs. Guaspari not play something impressive for the students, to show what they can accomplish, and how wonderful the violin can sound? ( Initially, to wow the students, 20 seconds of Shostakovich or D'Vorak would have been sufficient, but the film should have been replete with pertinent and brilliant, even if abbreviated, violin music, played by Mrs. Guaspari). 4.) What inspired Mrs. Guaspari to take up the violin, and why does she play? What is her relationship to music?
This last point is the most glaring omission in Music of the Heart.
It was heart-breaking to see Tanisha informing her teacher that she was moving away and had to quit the classes. Could not have Mrs. Guaspari said, at least, "I will call you, if you want. I will continue to help you with your violin."?
I appreciated Music of the Heart. I love all movies that have to do with music (especially learning it). The Guaspari family went through a great deal of duress as they tried to make ends meet. In the process, they changed some lives. I just would have liked to have gotten to know the characters more; their inner motivation and dreams.
This last point is the most glaring omission in Music of the Heart.
It was heart-breaking to see Tanisha informing her teacher that she was moving away and had to quit the classes. Could not have Mrs. Guaspari said, at least, "I will call you, if you want. I will continue to help you with your violin."?
I appreciated Music of the Heart. I love all movies that have to do with music (especially learning it). The Guaspari family went through a great deal of duress as they tried to make ends meet. In the process, they changed some lives. I just would have liked to have gotten to know the characters more; their inner motivation and dreams.