Music of the Heart

PG

Released Sep 6, 1999

2 hr. 4 min.

Drama

List

64%

91 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After being abandoned by her husband, depressed music teacher Roberta (Meryl Streep) lands a job teaching violin to underprivileged children in Harlem, New York. Despite initial friction from school principal Janet Williams (Angela Bassett) and the students, the program succeeds and attracts public recognition. After 10 years, however, the program is suddenly shut down following budget cuts -- and Roberta, together with Williams and her former pupils, works to hold a fund-raising concert.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 19

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Music of the Heart on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Meryl Streep's depiction of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things transcends, inspires, and entertains.

Read Critics Reviews

Jerod S

Belief, encouragement and a little grit went a long way in a NYC school district that took a risk on a violin program. Streep is good and the NSync/Estefan duet at the end will take you back!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

steve d

Insetting choice for Craven, familiar material but well delivered.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Frances H

A wonderful movie with a delightful cast and an inspiring story to tell. The wonderful music is lovely as well. The cast of great violinists is far from a turn off either. Very heartwarming and enjoyable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/17

Full Review

Audience Member

Meryl Streep's over the top performance overcomes a formulaic and dull script.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful anomaly in the filmography of a famous horror director, Meryl Streep's inspired performance about bringing music into young people's lives is a great feelgood movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Wes Craven

Director

Meryl Streep

Roberta Guaspari

Aidan Quinn

Brian Turner

Angela Bassett

Janet Williams

Cloris Leachman

Assunta Guaspari

Gloria Estefan

Isabel Vasquez

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

43%

73%

Digging to China

22%

41%

Race the Sun

60%

58%

Dancing at Lughnasa

24%

64%

A Dog of Flanders

45%

66%

Wide Awake

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Definitive Angela Bassett Roles

Wes Craven To Write and Direct Again; Also Plans Horror Remakes…Of His Own Movies

Isaac Hayes Quits "South Park" Over Scientology Row

View more photos

Derek Adams

Time Out

Meryl dominates the proceedings. She simply disappears into the role, and the movie, for all its educational impulses, becomes about watching her do it.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Kay Dickinson

Sight & Sound

The standard plotline of a teacher bearing the torch of liberal enlightenment to an educationally bereft group comes off rather dubiously here.

Dec 2, 2002

Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Streep's extraordinary performance makes this the rare inspirational movie that actually is, well, inspirational.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the picture grows increasingly engrossing as it builds towards its tremendously satisfying finale...

Rated: 3/4

Jul 30, 2023

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

I highly recommend the film for those seeking inspiration, motivation, and affirmation of the power that one person can have on the life of another.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 17, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The vacuous but well-meaning pic is poorly executed and seems as if it were a TV movie.

Rated: C+

Sep 4, 2015

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

After being abandoned by her husband, depressed music teacher Roberta (Meryl Streep) lands a job teaching violin to underprivileged children in Harlem, New York. Despite initial friction from school principal Janet Williams (Angela Bassett) and the students, the program succeeds and attracts public recognition. After 10 years, however, the program is suddenly shut down following budget cuts -- and Roberta, together with Williams and her former pupils, works to hold a fund-raising concert.

Director: Wes Craven
Executive Producer: Amy Slotnick, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Distributor: Miramax Films, Buena Vista International [us]
Production Co: Miramax Films, Craven-Maddalena Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 6, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.8M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Surround

Most Popular at Home Now