Shine

1996

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

from 9204 members

The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy, this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars, with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott, a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math, chess, and piano, David is driven hard by his overbearing father (Armin Mueller-Stahl), a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern. Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks (John Gielgud), David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting Piano Concerto No. 3 (known as the Rach 3). Years later, the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend, he meets astrologer Gillian (Lynn Redgrave), and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help, David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the Rach 3. The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott, whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected, sparking criticism that writer-director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes.~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Shine details

Format:	12 DVD
Starring:	Noah Taylor, Alex Rafalowicz, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Lynn Redgrave, John Gielgud, Geoffrey Rush
Director:	Scott Hicks
Genre:	Drama - Biography
Studio:	WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

DVD 1 disc

Name	Discs
Shine	12 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 41 minutes
Rental release:	01 Aug 2005
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review Shine

Fact or fiction?

By younglochinvar (66 reviews) from Prestatyn , 27 Sep 2007

[Highly rated reviewer]

Ignore the doubters with regard to whether the depiction is factual or not. Geoffrey Rush fully deserved the best actor Oscar for his stunning performance as Helfgott. Enjoy this heart-rending story and marvel at the idea a good deal of it may actually be true!
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Did not shine

By Bobsview (554 reviews) from Gloucestershire , 29 Mar 2013

based on true life moving story of pianist genius dominated by authoritarian father. Boring. adequate at best. A bit pretentious and lacklustre.
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Shine DVD

By simes (234 reviews) from near Gloucester , 30 Nov 2012

This is a strange story, never quite got to grips with it. Watched it several times. The main star seems to have a speech indepimant which makes it harder, this comes from having a harsh father worth a watch though
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Rush is brilliant

By Irishflojo (29 reviews) from Belfast , 30 Jun 2012

What an amazing actor! I was not at all familiar with Geoffrey Rush until the King's Speech when I thought he was brilliant. When I watched this film I hadn't realised it was Rush playing the lead role. I found this a touching story of a cruel and domineering father and strange family. Felt aggravated by it all. Not uplifting in any way, so don't watch if you are feeling a bit down!
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Captured the soul

By a customer , 13 Apr 2012

Australia's second best world class actor Jeffery Rush (John Mellion being No. 1) gives an amazing, challenging and friendly performace as David Helfgott a very sensitive child prodigy who enters the harsh reality of the concert pianist.
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Pheomenal performances

By NutterJr (2 reviews) from Bracknell , 12 Jan 2012

Geoffrey Rush is phenomenal in this movie, the kind of performance that turns this into a must see film and deservedly won an Oscar among other accolades. Armin Mueller-Stahl is also brilliant and although outshone by Rush, still deserves a mention.
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