Music of the Heart

Music of The Heart is a musical drama directed by Wes Craven and written by Pamela Gray. It was released on October 29, 1999. The movie stars Meryl Streep as Roberta Guaspari, a violin player turned substitute teacher, trying to bring music to the New York City public school system. The movie also stars Cloris Leachman, Gloria Estefan, Aidan Quinn and Angela Bassett.

Music of The Heart is based on a true story about a violin player named Roberta Guaspari, played by Meryl Streep. Guaspari becomes a substitute music teacher in a New York City school. The music program succeeds for ten years before cuts in the school budget leave Guaspari without a job. Through fund raising by teachers, parents and former students, the program is able to carry on. Another roadblock ensues when the venue for a concert that was planned is lost. Well-known musicians come to assist and a successful program takes place at Carnegie Hall.

• Meryl Streep as Roberta Guaspari

• Cloris Leachman as Assunta Guaspari

• Angela Bassett as Principal Janel Williams

• Aidan Quinn as Brian Turner

• Gloria Estefan as Isabel Vasquez

"Novice writer Pamela Gray has pumped this already-amazing story full of melodramatic embellishment and, in so doing, all but ruined its impact."—John R. McEwenRotten Tomatoes: Reviews

"Doesn't revolve around a self-centered main character or possess the schmaltz of Mr. Holland's Opus." —Judith EgertonRotten Tomatoes: Reviews