MUSIC OF THE HEART

 

FOUR STARS - Inspirational

 

 

       The power of music to nourish the soul is clearly shown in the true life story of Roberta Guaspari.  Masterfully playing her life on film, Director Wes Craven creates a symphony of lives that teaches us the importance of “Music of the Heart.”

       Devastated by the betrayal and abandonment of her husband, Roberta must not only care for her two young sons but find her way through divorce’s depression and loneliness.   Using the subtle power of the violin to reach deep into the heart, Roberta returns to the music of her youth to find redemption not only for herself but for many others as well.

       Having been married to a Navy officer for over a decade, Roberta (Meryl Streep) is shattered when her dashing husband leaves her for her best friend. 

       Moving back home to survive, Roberta is encouraged by her mother Assunta (Cloris Leachman) to find a job and get on with her life.  But that is not easy.  Having moved continually with her Navy husband, Roberta has no professional experiences and has never used her teaching credential.

       Through a series of serendipitous events, Roberta soon finds herself in the unlikely position as a teacher of violin to grade school students in East Harlem.   Although the film does not emphasize the oppressive experiences of these young people, the message is clear:   music can inspire the whole person.  A musician must not only learn the technical skill of the instrument itself, but also the life skills of discipline, faithful preparation, cooperation, seeking excellence and teachability - the very skills that can translate into success in any area of life.

       Although at first the principal of the school, Janet Williams (Angela Bassett), was not going to hire Roberta, Roberta brings her own young sons in as her resume of her teaching ability.  Their musical skills and smiling support of their mother’s goal to become a violin teacher are wonderful testimonies of Roberta’s teaching and mothering skills.

       The story is all the more powerful in its clear contrast between Roberta’s expectation of her student’s abilities and a dreary music teacher who expects little from his students and consequently gets small responses.

       Roberta is different.  Believing that anyone can create music, Roberta sets out to prove it.

       With a gritty determination that matches the oppressive hopelessness of the streets, Roberta confronts the negative actions and attitudes of her students. This is another powerful message of the film and is demonstrated in a conversation she has with the students when the parent of one little girl confronts her in the principal’s office.

       Explaining that her little girl needs positive nurturance, Roberta tries to change her straight talk into ambiguous platitudes.  Recognizing that this removes the power to truly create something beautiful, the students request her to be honest once more.

       This is a powerful message for our culture today.  In our desire to build the self-esteem of students, the temptation to muzzle our counsel often leaves the students unable to decipher what behaviors and attitudes need to change for them to have a real cause for positive self-esteem.  Although it is a fine line between being direct with a student as to what they need to change to become better and what is abusive and ridicules them, the film demonstrates that when a teacher truly cares about both the student and the outcome, the music created is also a reflection of the people being created as well.

       In a powerful scene with an African-American mother who accuses Roberta of being a white lady who has come to be a savior to the children of East Harlem and who does not want her son playing any “dead white men’s music,” the power of Roberta’s life is clearly shown.  At first unable to respond, Roberta comes back to her and explains that she is there because she is a single mother who needs a job and that this woman’s son experiences joy when he is creating music.

       This also reveals the power of Roberta’s life.  When a person comes as a “savior” trying to “help” others, it smells of superiority and arrogance.  But when one needy person reaches out to another in a desire to share the joys of life, they both find authentic connection and enrichment.

       Although we won’t tell all the adventures that occur as Roberta fights the system that attempts to end her program after ten years and thousands of students, the music that is created touches our hearts and lifts our spirits.

       “Music of the Heart” is a creation which inspires and nourishes our souls.  It explores the impact that a normal, hurting person can have when they simply commit to share their love and gifting with others.  It is a message we should all take to heart.

 

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