 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Playing from the Heart
- Review Date: January 10, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
This story of deaf musician is a real treasure.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie doesn't have any inappropriate content, but Evelyn's increasing deafness may scare some kids.
What's the story?
This theatrical production of the real-life story of deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie begins with Evelyn as a child in a small town in Scotland, much beloved by her family. No one understands why the little girl's hearing is diminishing. As Evelyn grows, she becomes profoundly deaf, but insists that she wants to be a percussionist, and that she can "hear" through the vibrations in her nose. She learns to play barefoot, so that she can hear with her "ears on the inside" and through determination and hard work she is able to defy the expectations of all around her and gain acceptance to the Royal Academy of Music.
Is it any good?
PLAYING FROM THE HEART is a real treasure for family viewing. As with the other productions from Globalstage, it may take some kids a while to get used to the more impressionistic style of story-telling of a filmed stage production, but it is well worthwhile, both for the exposure to a subtler, more challenging style of storytelling and for the considerable merits of this extraordinary story.
One of the best of this first-class series, this video is well worth watching. The tape includes footage of the real Evelyn Glennie, now a world-famous musician.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how we form our dreams, confronting obstacles including the obstacle of other people's expectations, the importance of supporting the dreams of those we love, and the importance of music. Families should also talk about the ways in which this kind of story-telling can be more effective than a more literal and linear depiction.
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| Studio: | Imagination Studio |
| Cast: | Joe Brack, Misty Demory, Rex Daugherty |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 70 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 30, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | January 4, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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