'Mr. Holland's Opus' mitzvahs — before taking a and then he can return to his ul- timate passion and goal: com- teaching job by default. On his first day at John F. posing his own symphony. nd now for something dif- Four years turns into ferent. With the onslaught Kennedy High School, Hol- 30, as Holland flourish- of incredibly disturbing, land reluctantly tells Prin- MOVIES es in his unexpected true depressing and night- cipal Jacobs (the feisty calling — mentor and and determined Olympia mare-invoking films of late — a la Eye For an Eye, Dead Man Dukakis) that he got his teach- teacher. Creative flashbacks and a great soundtrack take us Walking and Leaving Las through Vietnam, peace sooner or later Vegas rallies, Nixon, John Tra- somebody was bound to re- volta, John Lennon's death, lease that all-around, must- punk rockers and portable see warm and fuzzy film — cell phones. a la.Forrest Gump. While there is certainly Enter Hollywood Pic- predictable irony in Patrick tures' Mr. Holland's Opus. Sheane Duncan's script — In one of his best on-screen Holland's son is born deaf; roles.yet, Richard Dreyfuss floundering students end has been charged by up as governors, school the National Coalition board head honchos and for Music Education with war heroes; the football an overwhelming respon- coach (played with warm sibility — spearhead comic finesse by Jay the fight to reverse and Thomas) minors in modern heighten the awareness of dance and saves the school music and arts education musical; and that all-im- erosion in our schools. portant fight for continued With an excellent sup- arts funding — you just porting.cast and interest- can't help laughing and cry- ing mini-plots woven ing (a lot) with the charac- throughout, Dreyfuss does ters, and then writing a that and more. check to the National En- Mr. Holland's Opus is a dowment for the Arts. 30-year opus in itself as it Thomas (left) and Richard Dreyfuss have a 30-year Even after 143 minutes, chronicles the dubious life Jay friendship and education mission in Mr. Holland's Opus. Mr. Holland's Opus is a path of Glenn Holland musical journey you defi- (Dreyfuss), a fledgling mu- sician and composer who "just ing certificate as something to fall nitely should take. wants to make music the rest of back on. Holland's wife (Glenne my life." For 10 years, Holland Headly), a photographer, consoles took gigs wherever he could get her husband that he'll probably Julie Smith Yolles •them— clubs, weddings and bar have to teach only for four years, Rated PG — Visit Our Facilities And See What All We Have To Offer!! 30555 Grand River Farmington Hills 810.478.2010 FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOVED AND LOST . • • You — David S y m e 'Cry, The Beloved Country' Piano Rated PG PIANO ARTISTRY ..wm*:t.vx..%. , tamaimammtmagm,,,msw.mmamwm. ,,•.k.k. An exquisite NEW recording by David Syme, includes: YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, I'LL BE SEEING YOU, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME and TWELVE OTHER LOVE SONGS. Available on CD and Cassette at Harmony House Locations, Dearborn Music or call 1-800-321-PIANO (321-7426) A , fi . • 1,, (810) 354-6060 J. 01.111. Advertise in our new Entertainment Section! THE JEWISH NEWS 4 W hy do bad things hap- pen to good people? Can faith persevere over injustice? Why can't we all just get along? Cry, the Beloved Country, a remake of the 1951 film based on Alan Pa- ton's novel bearing the same name, raises these questions. Director Darrell James Roodt and writer Ronald Harwood take us on a highly emotional journey through racially divided and im- poverished 1940s South Africa, a country where only faith can ebb the tide of inhumanity that threatens to flood the land. Richard Harris (left) and James Earl Jones: A common bond despite their The movie, the first to come out differences, in Cry, The Beloved Country. of the newly democratic South Kumalo's strong faith is lit- Africa, centers around a black ter is in trouble, must leave for pastor, the Rev. Stephen Kuma- the first time the peaceful Zulu tle protection against the haz- lo (James Earl Jones), a wholly countryside for helter-skelter Jo- ards of the city and he is quickly decent and gentle man who, upon hannesburg, where his estranged mugged. The situation soon worsens when Kumalo, aided in receiving a letter saying his sis- son and brother also live.