History Film / MusicOfTheHeart

* KidsAreCruel: As expected, many of the kids don't take well to learning the violin. "Violins are for sissies" is an often-used phrase. There's also a boy who makes his sister carry his violin case for him, as he is scared that his friends will make fun of him. Another boy knocks over his stand partner's music stand on purpose.

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: By 1991, the Central Park and River East Schools' music and arts programs become the victims of the board of education's budget cuts, which leaves Roberta unemployed. Then, the Fiddlefest concert is abruptly cancelled and one of Roberta's students has to move away. As Roberta mulls this over, Walter Scheuer helps Isaac Stern book the concert at Carnegie Hall, so Roberta, her students and alumni, and the other famous violinists can take part in the concert and save the music programs after all.

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: By 1991, the Central Park and River East Schools' music and arts programs become the victims of the board of education's budget cuts, which leaves Roberta unemployed. Even Janet is powerless to stop the board from implementing the cuts. Then, the Fiddlefest concert is abruptly cancelled due to the concert hall's rupturing water heater and one of Roberta's students has to move away. As Roberta mulls this over, Isaac Stern becomes involved, so the children and the other famous violinists can take part in the concert and save the music programs after all.

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: By 1991, the Central Park and River East Schools' music and arts programs become the victims of budget cuts, which leaves Roberta unemployed. Even Janet is powerless to stop the board of education from implementing the cuts. Then, the Fiddlefest concert is abruptly cancelled due to the concert hall's rupturing water heater and one of Roberta's students has to move away. As Roberta mulls over this, Dorothea tells her about Isaac Stern's involvement, so the children and the other famous violinists can take part in the concert and save the music programs after all.

* SadistTeacher: Mr. Rausch.

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: Despite the budget cuts to East Harlem's music education programs, Opus 118's Fiddlefest concert is a success and Roberta is still around as a violin instructor.

The film opens in 1981 with Roberta as a renowned music educator and performer who just recently divorced George Tzeveras. Needing a job to support herself and her two sons Alexi (Creator/KieranCulkin) and (Creator/MichaelAngarano), she accepts a position as a violin teacher in East Harlem.

The film also stars Creator/AidanQuinn as Brian Turner, Creator/AngelaBassett as Janet Williams, Music/GloriaEstefan as Isabel Vasquez, Creator/JaneLeeves as Dorothea von Haeften and Creator/JayOSanders as Dan Paxton.

* WretchedHive: Harlem is portrayed as this.

* ForegoneConclusion: Since this is a biopic, anyone who is familiar with the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music's history will already know the music program is still active to this day with Roberta as violin instructor, the Fiddlefest benefit concert is ongoing.

* ForegoneConclusion: Since this is a biopic, anyone who is familiar with the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music's history will already know the program is still active to this day, the Fiddlefest benefit concert is ongoing, and Roberta's still teaching the violin.

The film also stars Creator/AidanQuinn as Brian Turner, Creator/AngelaBassett as Janet Williams, Music/GloriaEstefan as Isabel Vasquez, Creator/JaneLeeves as Dorothea von Haeften and JayOSanders as Dan Paxton.