Music of the Heart - 7 stars out of 10

Music of the Heart - 7 stars out of 10

"Music of the Heart" is the touching true story of Roberta Guaspari and her journey to bring the violin to inner-city Harlem schools.  Roberta is masterfully played by Meryl Streep, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance.  Compared to many of Streep's roles, this probably wouldn't even find its way into her Top 15 as her overall performance can't compare to "Sophie's Choice" or "The Iron Lady,"  but one poignant scene in which she argues with her son resonates so strongly that the nomination is no surprise.  This film falls a little flat due to its supporting cast.  The most interesting characters (Cloris Leachman as Guaspari's mother and Angela Bassett as the principal) are in such a small percentage of the story that the majority of the film is filled with Streep's on-screen genius surrounded by "blah" actors.  I expected Gloria Estefan to have a significant role since she is so prominently featured on the cover of the film; however, after a thorough search, I'm convinced that she wasn't in the film at all.  Of course I'm joking, but with less than 7 minutes of screen time as an insignificant character, she has made a great inside joke amongst my brothers and I over the past twelve years.  In spite of some acting flaws, the story is inspirational with a heartwarming finale that stresses the importance of music in the school system.  Wes Craven may have brought us Freddy Krueger and the Scream franchise, but it is nice that he has stepped out of his comfort zone to bring us the thoughtful "Music of the Heart."