Review of Shine (1996) by Monsieur R — 05 Apr 2011

A generally depressing but engrossing film. Shine is a 1996 Australian film based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions.

Pianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, had a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.

It stars Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Redgrave, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, Googie Withers, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd, Nicholas Bell, Chris Haywood and Alex Rafalowicz. The screenplay was written by Jan Sardi, and Scott Hicks directed the film.

Based on a true story, an emotional ride through a gifted artist's life. Shine is an "against the odds" type film. A morality play of life going on.

David, a gifted pianist is anchored down by a dominating father. In an impoverished, Jewish household we see the child and teen grow up. The adult pianist is played mostly in the last third of the film by an Austrailian, a live theatre actor Geoffrey Rush (Oscar, Best Actor). The teen years were played by Noah Taylor, a fine performance as well.

Directed by Scott Hicks, the film hits the lows and the celebrated highs in the true story of a child prodigy and classical pianist in modern day Australia. In a series of flashbacks we see important moments in David's life journey.

Suffering a mysterious mental breakdown in his late teens, David survives hospitalization. He somehow manages, with help from marriage, to regain his concert playing status. A hometown performance becomes David's crowning glory.

The dominating father is key in this story of David's success, disappointment and eventual flight from home through a scholarship to London. His father stresses how lucky he is to have a family, but David's luck ran out when he was born into this one.

The mother holds no sway over her husband and defenseless David just keeps playing the piano better and better but his father fears success will break up the family. Like a flower trying to emerge from under a rock, David flees to London.

Like so many films of its kind, Shine is a story of destiny despite setback.

Not a rousing stand up and cheer film, to me its more of a rocking chair, feel good ending. Rated PG-13 for one bedroom scene but suprisingly no profanity.

Could be a tear jerker at times for many viewers, Shine is appropriately and creatively titled. The special features of the dvd has a good interview with director Hicks to explain why many things were not explained in greater detail.

Some behaviors of the adult David are like Dustin Hoffman's character in Rainman (like his speech). But wearing a trenchcoat with nothing else, on a trampoline no less, was a reach. He has a crack in his glasses as does the bitter father, no doubt symbolism for broken lives.

Despite a less than satisfying life, David's talent shines through after all. Worth watching at least once, it could be a memorable film but time will tell. View it as a series of events strung together without a lot of details.

NOTES about the film:

1 The degree to which the film's plot reflects the true story of Helfgott's life is disputed. Critics allege that certain events and relationships in David's life are portrayed with wild inaccuracy, sometimes even fabricated, resulting in damage to the reputations of real people.

2 The film made its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

3 Shine won the Oscar for Best Actor (Geoffrey Rush), and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Armin Mueller-Stahl), Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

It also won a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for "Best Actor". The AFIs gave it significant recognition as well, with nine nominations total.

4 Helfgott's mother said the film haunted her and that she felt "an evil had been done.".

5 The early career triumphs documented by the film are factual. Violin virtuoso Isaac Stern wanted to bring Helfgott to the US to mentor; conductor Daniel Barenboim was a great admirer; and Helfgott's Royal Academy tutors did indeed praise his playing in such terms as "sheer genius".

Directed by Scott Hicks.

Produced by Jane Scott.

Screenplay by Jan Sardi.

Story by Scott Hicks.

Starring.

Geoffrey Rush.

Noah Taylor.

Armin Mueller-Stahl.

Music by David Hirschfelder (original music).

Cinematography Geoffrey Simpson.

Editing by Pip Karmel.

Distributed by Fine Line Features.

Release date(s) 21 January 1996 (1996-01-21) (Sundance Film Festival).

20 November 1996 (1996-11-20) (Australia).

Running time 105 minutes.