Mr. Holland’s Dreyfus

When I read “Dreyfus model of skill acquisition” I invariably think of Mr. Holland’s Opus. Specifically the part where he’s conducting the concert for the deaf, with the lights.

Also what was the deal with those lights, anyway? Mr. Holland basically assembled what would be, today, a cheap wedding DJ’s dancefloor effects setup and considered it an adequate analog to an orchestra. I mean the gesture was sweet but there was so much potential there for something really interesting.

And taking a step back through the fourth wall, did Stephen Herek really think the best visual portrayal of music in his work for a visual medium was this? Off the top of my head I can think of—no, that isn’t fair. The rest of the film is pretty great and maybe fifteen years ago that was cutting-edge stuff. I mean, it wasn’t, but I’ll let it go.

Wait, Mr. Holland’s Opus wasn’t based on a true story? I always assumed it was. Not that that really makes a difference either way, because the true stories are invariably disappointing next to their Hollywood analogs, but damn. Also, what a beautiful movie.