Mr. Holland's Opus

Right now you can watch Mr. Holland's Opus in the US on Disney Plus — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 458 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it for Richard Dreyfuss — one of the stronger performances out there right now. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Disney Plus.

Mr. Holland's Opus is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Mr. Holland's Opus takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose. Richard Dreyfuss and Glenne Headly lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1995. What elevates Mr. Holland's Opus is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Mr. Holland's Opus. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Richard Dreyfuss is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.