Music Within (2007)

Director:

Steven Sawalich

Writers:

Bret McKinney (written by) &
Mark Andrew Olsen (written by) ...

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Experience a movie that will make you believe anyone can change the world.

Plot:

The true story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past, who returns from Vietnam severely hearing -impaired and finds a new purpose in his landmark efforts on the behalf of Americans with disabilities.

Plot Keywords:

Orphanage | Boyfriend Girlfriend Relationship | Diner | Campus | College

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Ron Livingston	...	Richard Pimentel
Melissa George	...	Christine
Michael Sheen	...	Art Honeyman
Yul Vazquez	...	Mike Stoltz
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Richard's Mom
Hector Elizondo	...	Ben Padrow
Leslie Nielsen	...	Bill Austin
Ridge Canipe	...	Young Richard
Paul Michael	...	Joe
Clint Jung	...	Richard's Dad
John Livingston	...	Mr. Parks
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arlene Ancheta	...	Chinese Restaurant Owner
Glen Baggerly	...	D.J.
Alexander Baird	...	Mr. Parks student
Doug Baldwin	...	Supervisor
Jenni Blong	...	Shelly
Joel Bryant	...	Sergeant Taylor
Linda Burden-Williams	...	Bambi
T.J. Civis	...	Army Recruiter
Peter Crone	...	Nikos
Beth Donowho	...	Female Student
Brett Donowho	...	McMahon
Dale Dye	...	Captain Ruzicka
Gray Eubank	...	Recruiter
Natiya Guin	...	Sorority Girl #2
Chris Harder	...	Male Student
Benedict Herrman	...	EMCEE
Clint Howard	...	Clerk
TyZhaun Lewis	...	Aaron
Shelly Lipkin	...	VA Doctor
Thaddeus Massey	...	Customer #1
Shelly Matthews	...	Caregiver
Betty Moyer	...	Mrs. Jelt
Daniel Nelson	...	Birthday Party Boy
David Nelson	...	Boy at Party
Michael O'Connell	...	Franklin
Marion Ross	...	Grandma
Kevin Sage	...	PFC Sage
Brandon Sawalich	...	Student
Steven Sawalich	...	Soldier
Trevi Sawalich	...	Sorority Girl #1
Phil Somerville	...	Vaughn
Cindy Sorenson	...	Little Person
Gracie Starr	...	Young Christine
Lauren Stocks	...	Heather
Janssen Van De Yacht	...	Toddler Richard
F.X. Vitolo	...	Manager
Nita Whitaker	...	Hostess

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug content.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Beaverton, Oregon, USA

Company:

Articulus Entertainment

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Art is purchasing a soda at the beginning of the movie, he inserts one of the newer state quarters from 1999 and on into the machine.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The "Real" Story Behind the Disability Rights Movement

Having been a part of the disability community in Washington, DC for twenty years, I can say that this movie is truly remarkable in how it portrays my history and the history of my friends, family members, and the disability community as a whole. This is the history of another civil rights movement. It fairly and accurately provides a brief look at who we as a community are and what drove us to evolve and push for the playing field to be leveled just enough so that people who are blind, Deaf, have CP, or some other disability can actually go to a restaurant and eat pancakes on our birthday...

Ron Livingston oh-so accurately portrays Richard Pimentel's passion and anger as he struggles with his own life and as he learns how to channel that passion to begin making a difference, not only for himself, but for all people. Mr. Livingston also manages to reflect Richard's manner; his facial expressions, his speech, and especially his "stage presence."

Michael Sheen, who portrays Art Honeyman, draws the audience in and makes us all believe that he has CP. His ability to do this, to really become Art, should certainly earn him an Oscar.

I would highly recommend that everyone see this very entertaining and thought-provoking movie.