The uplifting true story of violin teacher Roberta Guaspari (Streep), a woman who battled insurmountable odds to teach underprivileged children in East Harlem the gift of music. As Roberta struggles to convince a skeptical school board--as well as skeptical parents--that this music will help the children immensely, she must conquer seemingly insurmountable odds to do just that. Eventually, she does. Based on the documentary SMALL WONDERS, MUSIC OF THE HEART proves that Craven is more than just a horror director.
After her husband leaves her, Roberta Guaspari (Streep) struggles to find a job. When she bumps into an old friend (Quinn), he tells her of a high school that could is without a music teacher. She meets with the school's principal (Bassett) and states her desire to teach the children the violin. The principal rejects her, citing lack of funding as one of the many excuses why it could never happen. Persistently, she eventually breaks her down and fights to establish a solid, effective program. Ten years later, the program has spread to other schools and is a smashing success. When funds are once again cut and the program is threatened for real, Roberta uses connections to get the injustice printed in the New York Times. A benefit concert ensues at Carnegie Hall, featuring appearances of such luminaries as Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, and Arnold Steinhardt.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
2-Disc Set
Disc One:
Letterboxed - Anamorphic - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1.Wes Craven - Director
2.Marianne Maddalena - Producer
Music Video - 1.Gloria Estefan & N'Sync - MUSIC OF MY HEART
Documentary - Making of the Music Video
Featurette
Deleted Footage
Documentary - BEHIND THE SCENES AT CARNEGIE HALL : THE BACH DOUBLE CONCERTO
Behind the Scenes Footage
Production Interviews - Musicians
Alternate Audio Tracks - Deleted Score
Trailer - 1.Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies - 1.Cast, Crew & Musicians
Disc Two:
Pan & Scan - 1.33
Single Side - Single Layer
Additional Release Material:
Bonus Feature/Short - SMALL WONDER - Allan Miller - Director
Distributor Notes: Music Of The Heart
Two-time Academy Award(R)-winner Meryl Streep (1983 Best Actress, SOPHIE'S CHOICE; 1980 Best Supporting Actress, KRAMER vs. KRAMER) stars with Angela Bassett (HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK) in a heartwarming, acclaimed true story of how one woman's musical gift affected those who least expected it. A single mother with little more than talent and the determination to make a difference, Roberta Guaspari (Streep) overcame the skepticism of everyone who didn't think she should be teaching violin to students in a tough inner-city neighborhood. But even after a decade of ever-growing popularity and countless success stories, Roberta and her kids must rise to meet an even greater challenge: budget cuts aimed at shutting down her valuable program for good! Also starring Aidan Quinn (PRACTICAL MAGIC) and Grammy-winner Gloria Estefan in a stellar cast, this extraordinary story will inspire anyone who's ever thought their dreams were too far out of reach!
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Director of Photography
Peter Deming: American Director Of Photography
Production Designer
Bruce Miller: Art Director, Production Designer, began in mid '80s
Costume Designer
Susan Lyall: Costume Designer
Review 1:
"...A gloriously sentimental true life drama in which Meryl Streep offers another indelible portrayal..."
Source: Variety
p.50 9/13-19/1999
Review 2:
"...Streep brings an edgy, no-bull quality to the role that pays off in earned sentiment at the inspirational finale..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.112 11/25/1999
Review 3:
"...[Streep is] commanding and touching..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
Source: Premiere
p.100 06/01/2000
Review 4:
"Yearning for an old-fashioned movie with a well-told, uplifting message? MUSIC OF THE HEART is playing your song..."
Source: USA Today
p.8E 10/29/1999
Review 5:
"...It's quite moving....MUSIC OF THE HEART has a lot of heart and a lot of music..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C16 10/29/1999
Review 6:
"...[This film] sticks to the real story, which has all the emotional wallop that's needed..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.29 10/29/1999
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