Director: Wes Craven
Starring: Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Angela Bassett, Cloris Leachman
Running Time: 123 minutes
Synopsis: When her husband leaves her for another woman, Roberta Guaspari (Meryl Streep) has to raise her two sons alone and start life over again. Her only skill is teaching the violin, and her friend Brian (Aidan Quinn) connects her with Harlem inner-city school principal Janet Williams (Angela Bassett), who gives Roberta a substitute teaching opportunity. The kids react well to her relatively stern methods, but after the violin teaching program takes off, new challenges await.
What Works Well: Wes Craven leaves behind suspense and horror to direct this edge-free, competent, and familiar biography. Meryl Streep ensures a base level of excellence in the central role, and allows Roberta's frailties and imperfections to round the character. The disadvantaged-kids-inspired-by-a-dedicated-teacher is a well-worn narrative device, but still delivers the desired feel-good vibes.
What Does Not Work As Well: The structure is a mushy combination of episodic, repetitive, and predictable, and ultimately prolonged into an interminable final act hampered by a foregone conclusion. Aidan Quinn as the love interest, Cloris Leachman as Roberta's mom, and Angela Bassett as the well-meaning but overworked principal are all efficient but strictly linear. The kids are unusually passive for this sub-genre.
Key Quote:
Roberta (to her students before a big concert): I want you all to play from your heart.
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