Toxic Masculinity Tuesday: ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’ (1995)

Usually I focus on the kinetic aspects of toxic masculinity; protection, self-sacrifice, pursuing justice when the system fails, standing on your values even when it’s unpopular to do so. But there are several traits of toxicity encapsulated by Glenn Holland in Mr. Holland’s Opus. ***Spoilers*** Plot: Mr. Holland’s Opus takes place during a tumultuous time in American history, spanning from 1964 through 1995. Glenn Holland, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is a musician and composer. Talented and passionate about his chosen field, Mr. Holland has big dreams of becoming a famous music composer, and the talent to see it through. After years of touring as a professional musician, Mr. Holland takes a temporary job as a high school music teacher at John F. Kennedy High to gain a steady paycheck for his family and to finally have the time to write his genre-defining opus. And the job begins as any job does when you have one foot out of the door. Mr. Holland is immediately frustrated by the bureaucracy of the school system, and the uninspired students who treat his class as the easy grade most kids pursue. All Mr. Holland wants to do is his eight hours at work so he can spend time with his wif...