Music Within is a touching, and sometimes funny drama based on the true story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past. As a young man, Pimentel realized he had a gift for public speaking. Pimentel’s idol is College Bowl founder Dr. Padrow, but upon trying out for Dr. Padrow, the ambitious young speaker is informed that he won’t have anything to talk about until he has lived a full life.

Angry, but realizing that there is some merit to Dr. Padrow’s observation, Pimentel subsequently enlists in the military and prepares for duty in Vietnam. Later, while fighting on the battlefield, Pimentel loses his hearing in an explosion and returns home. He has been left with severe permanent tinitus. He is frustrated when others inform him that he will never achieve his dreams because he is deaf, so the determined veteran makes it his mission to prove them wrong.

Pimental meets foul-mouthed genius Art Honeyman who has cerebral palsy. The two quickly become friends, and Pimental is witness to further discrimination of people with disabilities while in Art’s company. He then meets and falls for free-spirited beauty Christine.

He is persuaded by mercurial, hard-drinking veteran Mike Stoltz to help his fellow veterans find work. He talks to potential employers and pursuades them to accept people despite their ill perceived deficiencies. Pimental’s work is applauded by the community, and eventually he is asked to develop a training program for companies in regards to their employment policies for the disabled.

His greater success and increased time on the road puts a strain on his relationship with Christine and she moves out. In real life, Pimentel goes on to play a pivotal role in creating the ‘Americans with Disabilities Act’.

Reviews:

• Timeout - [Michael Sheen] whose turn as a cheeky wit with cerebral palsy is remarkable
• Variety -this real-life dramedy is anchored by Michael Sheen’s captivating performance

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