Overview
A passionate teacher fights against the odds to bring music into the lives of her students.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- inspirational
- determined
- family movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics found the film conventional but efficiently inspirational, with Meryl Streep's nuanced performance elevating its familiar true-story material.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roberta confronts the board of education while defending violin instruction for underprivileged Harlem students.
The violin program is the central means through which Roberta supports her students' happiness and development.
Roberta's determination is framed as unexceptional human perseverance despite the scale of the opposition she faces.
Roberta's relationship with her Harlem students and commitment to their musical growth drive the emotional arc.
Films like Music of the Heart, and why
Dangerous Minds
inspirational true-story drama centered on an unconventional teacher and disadvantaged students
Mr. Holland's Opus
biographical school drama combining institutional resistance, mentorship, and uplifting musical performance
Freedom Writers
emotionally direct teacher-student drama about perseverance against an uncaring educational system
The Soloist
music-driven biographical drama featuring an ordinary protagonist pursuing extraordinary artistic and social goals
Movie Details
- Director
- Wes Craven
- Release Date
- 1999-10-29
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (232)
Cast
- Meryl Streep
- Aidan Quinn
- Angela Bassett
- Gloria Estefan
- Cloris Leachman
- Josh Pais
- Jane Leeves
- Kieran Culkin
- Charlie Hofheimer
- Jay O. Sanders
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Music of the Heart about?
- A determined Harlem violin teacher battles an indifferent education system to give disadvantaged children a lasting chance through music.
- What is Music of the Heart like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Music of the Heart as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Music of the Heart violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Music of the Heart.
- What did critics think of Music of the Heart?
- Critics found the film conventional but efficiently inspirational, with Meryl Streep's nuanced performance elevating its familiar true-story material.
- Which films are like Music of the Heart?
- Films with a similar feel include Dangerous Minds, Mr. Holland's Opus, Freedom Writers, and The Soloist.
- How long is Music of the Heart?
- Music of the Heart runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Music of the Heart?
- In United States, Music of the Heart is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
