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Shine Reviews

1996

70
from 8666 members

Inspired by the true story of Australian child prodigy David Helfgott (Rush), Shine examines his journey from a childhood dominated by an overbearing father to his nervous breakdown as a young adult. When David is accepted to a prestigious music school in London as a teen, he's only too happy to escape his home life and pursue .. Read more

Starring	Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Redgrave, John Gielgud, Armin Mueller-Stahl
Director	Scott Hicks
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Shine
View all critics' reviews (5)
- Moving, superbly acted drama of tragedy and redemption that brilliantly evokes a man's alienation from his roots and his disintegration, as well as his re-emergence into the world.
- 29817
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
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Most helpful member's review of Shine
View all members' reviews (72)
- - 54
  - 18
  Fact or fiction?
  
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 480101
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - younglochinvar
  - 66 reviews
  - Prestatyn
  - 27 Sep 2007 at 13:37
Most recent members' reviews of Shine
View all members' reviews (72)
- - 0
  - 0
  Pheomenal performances
  
  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... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1080997
- - NutterJr
  - 2 reviews
  - Bracknell
  - 12 Jan 2012 at 11:14
- - 0
  - 0
  Not only for Lovers of Rachmaninov and Astrology
  
  This is a wonderfully human story containing tremendous performances by Geoffrey Rush in particular. The mixture of sentiments moving through humour and sadness... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1066940
- - a customer
  - 25 Nov 2011 at 13:07
- - 1
  - 0
  Love this film!
  
  This film is GREAT! Just a masterpiece of acting by Geoffrey Rush. This film will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Watch it and see why Geoffrey Rush ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1043158
- - BatmanDan
  - 16 reviews
  - Newton Aycliffe
  - 21 Sep 2011 at 11:18
- - 1
  - 0
  Rach 3
  
  Very moving. Geoffrey Rush fantastic. Music beautiful. Whole range of emotions re childhood of both son and father and the love David finally found.
  
  Report this review
- 1040639
- - a customer
  - 14 Sep 2011 at 11:33
- - 0
  - 0
  Stunnd, shocked and completely amazed!
  
  Started off quite slow paced, but picked up once it got going (you just need to give it a chance).
  
  Both Alex Rafalowicz, Noah Taylor and Geoffrey ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1040371
- - vitalconnections
  - 8 reviews
  - England
  - 13 Sep 2011 at 17:03
- - 1
  - 1
  wanted to use more polish on this film to really make it shine!
  
  told good things about this film - perhaps i would have liked it more ten years ago, but didn't really do anything for me - actually stopped watching it. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1036932
- - buffyrules
  - 164 reviews
  - southend on sea
  - 04 Sep 2011 at 18:48
- - 0
  - 0
  Geoffery Rushed into stardom
  
  What a wonderful movie and the film that made Geoffery Rush a star, He is amazing in this but then he always is.
  
  Report this review
- 1020420
- - StuartoDeLasPampas
  - 25 reviews
  - Pinner
  - 22 Jul 2011 at 14:24
- - 0
  - 0
  Superb film
  
  After enjoying Geoffrey Rush in Kings Speech I was not dissapointed with this performance.
  
  You really want there to be a happy ending for his ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1010454
- - orchid
  - 1 review
  - 27 Jun 2011 at 19:07
- - 0
  - 0
  "Inspired by the true story"
  
  As a film I found it was moving and enjoyable and thought provoking to watch with some fantastic piano playing.
  
  It inspired me to look up David ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1009486
- - a customer
  - 25 Jun 2011 at 09:14
- - 5
  - 0
  Outstanding Combination
  
  Very well scripted and acted film with beautiful music too.What a great combination. I can't believe I have not noticed Geoffrey Rush more over the years. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1000808
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Rip
  - Manchester
  - 05 Jun 2011 at 20:54
View all members' reviews (72)

- - 54
  - 18
  Fact or fiction?
  
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 480101
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - younglochinvar
  - 66 reviews
  - Prestatyn
  - 27 Sep 2007 at 13:37
- - 5
  - 0
  Outstanding Combination
  
  Very well scripted and acted film with beautiful music too.What a great combination. I can't believe I have not noticed Geoffrey Rush more over the years. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1000808
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Rip
  - Manchester
  - 05 Jun 2011 at 20:54
- - 4
  - 2
  good sentiment badly edited
  
  I thought this film was a really interesting topic, but I found the editing really annoying. Particularly the end of the performance of Rackmaninov's 3rd ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 338158
- - williamJob
  - Berks
  - 17 Jun 2005 at 10:25
- - 3
  - 0
  An Excellent Drama
  
  A well-crafted film about an emotionally abused but gifted boy. Harrowing at times but necessary for explaining the story.Geoffrey Rush is amazing so its well ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12414
- - Kate Howitt
  - Leicester
  - 26 Jul 2004 at 21:53
- - 3
  - 0
  What a lovely film!
  
  This is a great film. Very interesting and very moving...I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Amazing true story about a man with a god given talent. A... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 174479
- - a customer
  - East Anglia
  - 15 Nov 2005 at 20:42
- - 2
  - 0
  Classy film of the ...
  
  Classy film of the true life story. Very involving. Perfect performance by Rush.
  
  Report this review
- 25689
- - Derekinstoke#1
  - STOKE ON TRENT
  - 15 Nov 2003 at 15:21
- - 2
  - 0
  Genuinely moving
  
  Geoffrey Rush in a great performance as a former child prodigy who develops mental health problems. It's a lovely little film, although it took a good hour ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 95721
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 23 Apr 2005 at 12:27
- - 2
  - 0
  It lit up my afternoon
  
  A really enjoyable and well acted film. Geoffrey Rush is superb as the troubled yet gifted David Helfgott, a child prodigy on the piano who's overbearing ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 350987
- - IpsRich22
  - Suffolk
  - 12 Oct 2005 at 10:50
- - 2
  - 0
  What a film!
  
  This film pulls you in many directions... I mean from tears, laughter and anger.
  
  It by far exceeded my expectations and is a clear winner if I think... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 456998
- - a customer
  - Carlisle, England
  - 09 Jul 2007 at 17:37
- - 2
  - 1
  A travesty
  
  Any similarities between David Helfgott'ss life and the events portrayed in this film are purely coincidental. His mental illness was probably caused by ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 456011
- - Julia Atkinson
  - York, England
  - 05 Jul 2007 at 18:57

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Critics' reviews
- Moving, superbly acted drama of tragedy and redemption that brilliantly evokes a man's alienation from his roots and his disintegration, as well as his re-emergence into the world.
- 29817
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
- "...Scrappy, sexy, touching and fun....SHINE is also utterly extraordinary....Rank it with the best movies of the year..."
- 6954
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- Teenage pianist David (Taylor) has all the usual problems and then some. His father, a Polish-Jewish immigrant in... read more on Time Out
- 42902
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:13
- "...A strong, emotional narrative....Rush is quite remarkable....SHINE is mature, intelligent filmmaking..."
- 6955
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Strong performances....A powerful piece of work..." -- Rating: B+
- 6953
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Shine
  
  Inspired by the true story of Australian child prodigy David Helfgott (Rush), Shine examines his journey from a childhood dominated by an overbearing father to his nervous breakdown as a young adult. When David is accepted to a prestigious music school in London as a teen, he's only too happy to ...