Rating: 
Summary: "Music for MY Heart"
Review: Meryl did it again! Another Oscar-nomination and like everytime: she diserved it like no other! One of her best films since "One true thing" and "Deads become her"! Our greatest actress of all time in one of the best picture of this decade! This movie contens a lot of clasic music and a lot of imotional feelings and a speciall treat: "Gloria Estefan" and "Angela Basett" in a doublepack prettier and better than ever! Directed by "Wes Craven" creater of "Scream"! He showed us what his real talent was!
Rating:
Summary: The Heart Of A Hero
Review: Many of the true heroes of our times go largely unknown, ignored, or unsung, but they are among us; and because of them we are blessed as a society. "Music of the Heart," directed by Wes Craven, is the story of one of these heroes, Roberta Guaspari, played here by the incomparable Meryl Streep. Faced with a divorce and raising two sons on her own, Roberta, with the help of a friend, writer Brian Sinclair (Aidan Quinn), finds a job in an East Harlem school teaching violin. Hired initially as a substitute for two days a week, she struggles to make her program work, competing with a tenured music teacher and less than cooperative students. A violin program seems out of place in Harlem, and there are some very real racial barriers she must overcome, as well. That she succeeds at all is due to nothing less than strong-willed determination and tenacity; a former Navy wife who was constantly on the move, she buys her first home, a fixer-upper in Harlem she must renovate to make livable, acting as her own contractor, which adds even more stress to an already overwhelming situation: A single mom living in Harlem, trying to make a life for herself and her boys, while giving selflessly to her students, many of whom soon look to her as their ray of hope in an otherwise seemingly futile environment. There is triumph and tragedy to her story, but the fact that she was able to help so many young people, and raise the self-esteem of so many individuals as well as that of an entire community, illustrates the difference one person can truly make in our society. Streep delivers an Oscar-worthy performance (she was nominated), and as usual, disappears completely into her character. Indisputably the greatest actress of our times, it never ceases to amaze the way she can take any role and not just play, but become, that person; she is truly a chameleon at her craft, and a joy to watch. After watching her, you feel as if you really know Roberta; and the fact that she enables you empathize with her so readily heightens the already emotional impact of her story. It is a touching portrayal that avoids any sentimentality or pretentiousness. The supporting cast includes Cloris Leachman (Assunta Guaspari), Angela Bassett (Janet Williams), Jay O. Sanders (Dan), Michael Angarano (Nick, age 7), and features cameos by Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Sandra Park and Karen Briggs, among others. Craven has ably delivered a solid and moving film; he keeps everything to scale, keeps it real, never allowing the story to become larger-than-life, one of the pitfalls of many a movie biography, which can so easily diminish the quality of the final product. Happily, he never allows that to come close to happening in "Music of the Heart." This is an unforgettable film, with a memorable performance by Meryl Streep; but in the end, what you'll really remember is Roberta Guaspari. She is a true, contemporary hero whose song, thankfully, has been sung.
Rating:
Summary: Great for any family
Review: The movie gives a great sense of family and friends. It made me want to become a better violinist and I think it makes people want to play an instrument, no matter what age. It's a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I knew this film would be good because it has two of my favorite actors in all the world in it: Angela Bassett and Meryl Streep. I don't know what the atmosphere was like on the set while this movie was being filmed, but I'd be willing to bet everyone had a ball doing it. The child actors were so very talented! You know the old adage about not working with children or animals? Well, Angela and Meryl ignored both of them and came out smelling like two fresh, dewy roses. This is the best kind of film, the kind that leaves you with a warm, satisfied feeling deep in your soul. I know I only mentioned two of the actors in this film by name, but the entire cast was fantastic: Jane Leeves, Gloria Estefan, Aidan Quinn and the CHILDREN! They MADE the movie. One thing: If you're a big sentimental softy (as I am) get your Kleenex before sitting down to watch this. You'll need them.
Rating:
Summary: great!
Review: i really thought this would be dumb and boring like the movie Small Wonders which was made about a couple years ago.that was dumb.but this one i enjoyed every minute of.i dont see why anybody could hate this movie.Meryl Streep and Angela Basett are great in this.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie for the hole family
Review: It might not be a disney film but it still is a movie that you can enjoy with the hole family. I love this movie I thought this movie was musical and careing. All thow I did think this movie over exspresed its self a little bit and took a turn for being to dramatic and skiped a lot of what realy happend I still think this is a good movie.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: Every time I see a Meryl Streep movie I say to myself, "This is my favorite movie, no movie will be better than this", and every time another Meryl Streep movie comes out I say: "Now this is my favorite, not the other one". I do that 'cause she keeps getting better and better in everything she does, it's great! "Music of The Heart" isn't different, it's, again, a beautiful movie with great performances. Meryl as Roberta is incredibly convincing. Throghout the movie it's like she is right next to you . Gloria Estefan did a great job in her debut. This is one of those movies that when you come out of the theater you feel renewed, and wanting to learn how to play the violin. I THINK THAT EVERYONE THAT LIKES GOOD ACTING SHOULD RENT THIS MOVIE. COME TO THINK ABOUT IT DON'T RENT IT, BUY IT.................SOON!
Rating: 
Summary: my review
Review: Roberta, a recently separated mother of two and a violin player looking for a job, decides to try teaching music and violin to kids. She is hired by an East-Harlem School principal, and the rest is a beautiful story.... This is simply a beautiful movie. From the story to the actors, they all blend together to make this an unforgetable experience. It is true that the teaching of music enhances children's capabilities, teaches them responsability, as well as perseverance. Great music, great movie, great acting, a must see!
Rating:
Summary: Quite Simply...a Delight
Review: This is an understated and uplifting film...a far cry from Wes Craven's previous bloodfests, and a fine entry (for him) into a mainstream genre. The fact that this film is based on the true story of Roberta Guaspari makes it all the more meaningful. One can see how vital the component of music becomes to the lives of inner-city kids.There is honestly not much to criticize about this film. Everything about it is sturdy and likable, from the pacing, to the direction, to the dialogue, to the performances. I have frankly never seen a less-than-fine performance from Meryl Streep and this was certainly no exception. Her version of Roberta is solid in every aspect, engaging without being obtrusive. Angela Bassett makes herself useful (as always) in a typically Bassett-tough supporting role. Gloria Estefan even does a good job as one of Roberta's fellow teachers. That's the thing about this fine film: it does the job well. It's job is to tell the wonderful story of a woman (and her freinds) who bring the light of music into the lives of kids who need it and appreciate it, and who fight to keep it there. A positive and valuable film. Rent it. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring story and bravura performance by Meryl Streep
Review: This is a powerful, moving and triumphant true story, which springs from a documentary about a music teacher and her students. This is the story of Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras (Meryl Streep), a violin teacher who single-handedly created a program to teach violin to inner city kids in East Harlem, New York. The film follows her from the dubious inception of the program, which started as a substitute teaching job, through the ensuing 10 years where so many children wanted to be in the program that it had spread to three schools in the district and a lottery had to be held each year to limit the number of students. The last part of the film is devoted to her fight to continue the program after the board of education killed its funding. It culminates in a triumphant benefit concert supported by some of the greatest violinists in the world to raise private funds to save the program. This film celebrates the dogged determination and courage of one woman who proved that a single individual can make a difference. Her life was not a pretty picture. Her husband left her for one of her friends, turning her into an emotional basket case. Music was her only solace and teaching was her gift. Unfortunately, her lack of experience in the education system made her unqualified to get a position. So on the recommendation of a friend she convinces an East Harlem principal to give her a chance as a substitute violin teacher. She even supplies the violins. The story from there is an example of life often being more remarkable than fiction. The results she achieved with these children were astounding. My only criticism of the story was that it contained a little too much treatment of her personal life. Almost her entire relationship with Brian (Aiden Quinn) could have been eliminated without hurting the story. I know that director Wes Craven was trying to give us some character development on how tough her life was and how difficult a person she was, but it was superfluous and the digression only bogged the story down. The real story here was about her and the kids. He should have stuck to that. Otherwise, Craven did a fabulous job of directing, delivering an emotional story with great power and effect. I was quite impressed, especially given the fact that prior to this film, he was almost exclusively a one genre director (Horror. Think 'Scream'). The acting by Meryl Streep was nothing short of brilliant. I have read criticism of Streep's performance as too harsh, it seeming as if she didn't really LIKE the children. In actuality her performance was dead solid perfect. I was lucky enough to rent the Collector's Series DVD of this film which included a separate disk of the original documentary about the real Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras and her students, including the actual concert at Carnegie Hall. If you watch that documentary you will be in awe of how well Streep utterly nails her character. We get to see the real Roberta teaching her students and she is like a drill sergeant barking orders, throwing kids out of practice for not having their violins, reproaching them angrily about plucking their strings while she is speaking, and generally tolerating no nonsense. She is impatient with them and completely intolerant of anything but their best. The children who made comments about the real Roberta said things like, 'I wouldn't have the discipline I have if it weren't for Roberta. That discipline not only helps me with the violin, but with everything else.' Another child said, 'I have to pay attention to what I'm doing or Roberta will get mean. But if I do good, she is pleased and that make me feel good.' Yet another, 'I want to work really hard so Roberta will be proud of me.' Clearly, these are not the comments of children who were being negatively affected by Roberta's no nonsense style. Streep said in the featurette included in the DVD that it is very difficult playing a real person because there is no leeway for artistic interpretation. Translation: If she was to play Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras, she had to become Roberta. This she accomplished with stunning accuracy. Streep captures not only Roberta's irascible demeanor, but the essence of her drive and passion for drawing the students very best. Roberta is a complex and difficult character to play and Streep throws herself into the role, delivering a tour de force performance that very few actors have the range and depth to accomplish. This film is a must see for anyone who loves the arts and anyone who can appreciate a great actress giving a career performance. I rated it a 9/10, subtracting a point for Craven's unnecessary digression into Roberta's private life. That is, however, hardly a reason to miss this bravura performance and an inspiring story.
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