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A movie about a man who fought for the civil rights of the disabled may sound unbearable and self-important, but Music Within will surprise you with its rough, irreverent, and very entertaining wit. Even the title is caustic joke: Richard Pimentel (Ron Livingston, Office Space) comes back from the Vietnam War with a severe ringing in his ears that leaves him virtually deaf. Pimentel finds a new path in life when he starts a career finding jobs for his fellow vets--and forms a deep friendship with Art Honeyman (Michael Sheen, The Queen), a brilliant man whose body is twisted by cerebral palsy. Pimentel never loses his sardonic sense of humor, but he does find a genuine purpose in life when the U.S. government hires him to create a program to help employers hire the disabled--but his cause leads him away from his increasingly frustrated girlfriend (Melissa George, 30 Days of Night). Music Within proves to be a to be a garrulous, enjoyable warts-and-all biography, one that admires Pimentel's accomplishments but never loses sight of his human failings. No one gets turned into the representative of a suffering group; every character is well-drawn individual. Sharp supporting turns by Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman), Yul Vazquez (American Gangster), and especially Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business), as Pimentel's schizophrenic mother, give Music Within added punch. --Bret Fetzer
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 Hilariously Touching |
| Review Date: April 9, 2008 |
| Reviewer: OpheliasOwn, Upstate, NY |
This movie was a surprise for me. Movies dealing with the ADA or IDEA or 504 are often dry and dull. They want to express the somber times people with disabilities were struggling through, which is commendable, but makes for dry cinema. Music Within is funny, witty, sarcastically vulgar. It made me laugh out loud.
For a person who works with people with disabilities, I have experienced first-hand how humor can get you through the tough times. Sometimes you need to just laugh! Laugh at yourself, your situation, the irony, and everything you can't control. This movie embodies that sentiment!
This movie should be required viewing. It brings about a troubling topic in such a stark, wonderful, charming way! Pimentel's CP friend is an incredible supporting character as well. Do yourself a favor- if you want to combine a great chuckle and enlightenment on the former (or not so former) plight of the disabled- check this out! |
Music Within
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| Review Date: April 9, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Michele L. Sutter, Enterprise, KS |
| This is a wonderful film. We were actually fortunate enough to have Mr. Richard Pimentel come speak at our school this past Summer. His story is amazing and worth the watch. It is a shame that every theatre in the country didn't show this amazing movie which showcases the creation of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). This is a must see. I really enjoyed the special features but of course since we heard Mr. Pimentel speak, we heard much more of the speech that is featured on the DVD. It is a shame they didn't show the speech in its entirety because his story is truly inspiring. I wish the movie were longer because when it's over, you don't want it to be finished but it's worth viewing. Check it out. |
Brilliant!!!
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| Review Date: June 14, 2008 |
| Reviewer: R. Hillman, Northern CA |
| One of the BEST movies I've ever seen!!! Absolutely brilliant! Inspiring, beautiful, touching, amazing!!! Highly recommend to anyone and everyone! What movies should be all about... Deserves every award and acclaim. Anyone who says they don't like this movie must not appreciate the triumph of the human spirit. |
How can a civilised society ever legislate an Ugly Law?
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| Review Date: August 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Ms. A. T. Hamblett, New Zealand |
I have the same disability as Art (cerebral palsy), so I watched this movie from that perspective. The story was one that needed to be told. I live in New Zealand and have never been arrested because I have cerebral palsy. I was shocked that Art and Richard were arrested. I wanted the waitress to be arrested.
How can any civilised society legislate an Ugly Law?
I loved Art's sense of humour, and the close friendship he developed with Richard. I thought Micheal Sheen played the character of Art very well, but I think it's about time that actors with cerebral palsy were chosen to play these roles. It's a film everyone should see.
Allyson Hamblett
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The Movie is Never as Good as the Man!
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| Review Date: November 4, 2008 |
| Reviewer: LegaLily, Eastern/Western, WA |
I've had the privilege of meeting Mr. Pimentel and hearing him tell his own story with great humor, energy, self-deprecation and panache. They say that people are put into each others lives for a purpose. Thus, Art and Richard were the spark that ignited the original Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering accommodations in public buildings and the workplace to those for whom opportunity had previously been abysmally absent.
Over time, the Supreme Court and appointed EEOC regulators, emasculated the purpose of the act by too narrowly drawing the definition of disability. In many circumstances, merely taking prescribed medication, regardless of its effectiveness, would be sufficient mitigation to deny the existence of disability. Episodic or relapsing-remitting conditions (such as, seizure disorders or MS) would not be considered disabling because of their lack of constancy, despite their unpredictability. And those simply 'perceived' to have had some illness and then not hired, could not claim they were discriminated against.
But, Richard Pimentel again returned to the drawing board and in September of this year, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 was signed into law. It goes into effect 1/1/09, clarifying the 'Broad' definition of Disabilities, the reassertion of rationality into the decision making process regarding mitigation, episodic conditions, body systems, activities of daily living and communication. In essence, the intent of the ADA has been resurrected. And, hopefully for all the Richards and Arts of this country, those who seek the old fashioned 'outright intentional exclusion' will have had their last hurrah. |
See People Not The Differences
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| Review Date: November 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Daniel G. Lebryk, |
What an amazing, enjoyable movie. It's a small film, with a wonderful message - don't see the handicap, just see people.
This movie reminded me of a comment I heard on Canadian radio, there is this whole myth that we were somehow much more polite and had manners in the 60's, 50's and earlier. But those wonderfully mannered polite people mistreated people who were different, race, gender, ability, and age. Those polite people enacted an "ugly law." There's nothing polite or proper about all that. Today we may be rude to eachother with cell phones, and imperfect manners - but nobody today would even think of an "ugly law." You see a very similar message in "Mad Men," the television drama about 1950's Madison Avenue advertising men, and their treament of women.
I loved the message of this film. I bought the characters, every one of them. I am very happy I spent an hour and a half with this film.
Although this film does have some faults. It loses steam just after Richard comes back from Viet Nam. There's some missteps very near the end with Christine, where the film loses it's way. But over all, a totally enjoyable film, with some minor flaws.
By the way, having the subtitles on, is actually a big help with this film. |
Incredible film!
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| Review Date: December 15, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Amy E. Meredith, WA |
| This is an incredible film. I made it an extra credit assignment for my neuroanatomy students last spring. I bought the DVD when it came out so that I could have more students watch it. I teach in Speech and Hearing Sciences, so the story of a man with hearing loss and his friendship with another man with a cerebral palsy is very relevant. The story is educational, funny, and heart wrenching, as well as being based on a true story. |
Phenomenal!
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| Review Date: February 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Sherrill, |
| This is by far tops my list of best movies ever made. It is a truly inspiring story that is filled with moments that captivate you and your every emotion. I only wish that I could make every single person in this world sit down and watch this wonderful movie. It makes you think about life and look at it from a different perspective. The acting is absolutely incredible, never for a moment do you feel as though the people on the screen are trying to deliver a good line, it just seems effortless to them. Everyone needs to see this movie! You will not be dissapointed, and if you are, you should probably rethink a few things about your own life. |
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