Shine
Based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, this delightful movie charts the early and traumatic early years. Telling the story in flashback we see David as he grows up and into a child prodigy while his father abuses him and his siblings with the memory of his childhood in Europe and the loss of his family in the concentration camps. David finally breaks away from his father and goes away to study overseas, he later suffers a breakdown and returns to Australia and a life in an institution. Many years later he is released and through several twists of fate (in reality even more unlikely that film portrays) he starts playing a piano in a bar before finally returning to the concert hall.
Member Reviews
Inégal - Tigidou
Ce scénario recelait un énorme potentiel. Le sujet n'était pas facile à traiter. L'interprétation du personnage principal est de loin le point fort de cette oeuvre. Mais l'histoire elle est un peu trop éparpillée. On distingue mal sur quoi le réalisateur a vraiment voulu mettre l'emphase. Ça reste un bon film mais qui aurait pu faire mieux.Dragged Down By A Weak Second Half - revsdd
Somewhat reminiscent (in the basic story, at least) of "A Beautiful Mind," "Shine" offers a take on the story of Australian pianist David Helfgott. I understand that there's debate on the accuracy of the film, both in terms of Helfgott's background and his piano playing skill. Knowing nothing of his background and little of the skills needed to play the piano, I'll choose to avoid the controversy and deal simply with the movie. It started off very strongly. The first half offered a powerful exploration of Helfgott's childhood, at the hands of a domineering father as well as a look at the early indications of both his abilities as a pianist and the first hints of mental illness. It was a little bit slow paced, but interesting nonetheless. Something happened, though, at the point at which David seemed to go truly insane after his Rachmaninoff recital. The movie itself seemed to lose its focus at that point, and it became what seemed to me to be a largely unconnected series of events offering a taste (but not much more) of Helfgott's later life in a rush, which was far less interesting than the first half. Geoffrey Rush was truly excellent as Helfgott, as was Alex Rafalowicz, who played Helfgott as a child. I was also impressed with Armin Mueller-Stahl's performance as Helfgott's father. The character of Gillian (played by Lynn Redgrave, who became Helfgott's wife) seemed to be introduced far too quickly, and I had no idea how they ended up suddenly married. Redgrave did well with the part, but there was little substance to the character. As far as I recall, there was also no mention of the fact that Helfgott had been previously married.
The comparatively weaker second half pulled this down a fair bit in my estimation. In the end, I'd say it was OK, but not much more than that.Beautiful in Many Ways - Seripha
Not only does Shine have beautiful music that stirs your soul, but it has equally convincing and moving acting to go along with it.
I don't want to give up a lot of the plot line because the description of the movie does that for you, but I do want to go into the experience of this movie.
The music alone is worthwhile. I found it necessary to go and find the soundtrack on iTunes after watching it and then rewatched segments of the movie with my eyes closed just to fully enjoy the music. It is all the playing of the original artist which makes it that much more special.
Then the acting is wonderful. Geoffrey Rush plays a brilliant, quirky, and mentally impaired man whose antics which could come off creepy and scary, only come off as endearing and funny. Even when the script requires romantic moments, Rush conveys the love making in such a way that the character isn't lost - only that much more human.
Give yourself a night to just fully enjoy the movie without multitasking on other things. It will make it that much better.
Member Reviews
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Inégal - Tigidou
Ce scénario recelait un énorme potentiel. Le sujet n'était pas facile à traiter. L'interprétation du personnage principal est de loin le point fort de cette oeuvre. Mais l'histoire elle est un peu trop éparpillée. On distingue mal sur quoi le réalisateur a ...Dragged Down By A Weak Second Half - revsdd
Somewhat reminiscent (in the basic story, at least) of "A Beautiful Mind," "Shine" offers a take on the story of Australian pianist David Helfgott. I understand that there's debate on the accuracy of the film, both in terms of Helfgott's background and his ...Beautiful in Many Ways - Seripha
Not only does Shine have beautiful music that stirs your soul, but it has equally convincing and moving acting to go along with it.
I don't want to give up a lot of the plot line because the description of the movie does that for you, but I do want ...