Review of Shine (1996) by Leighton T — 24 Aug 2011
What a momentous story plays out in this man's life: A genius bludgeoned by his father and the expectations he heaped upon his son. David Helfgott's life and illness is told tenderly and poetically by Scott Hicks.
Where biopics are usually typical in their layout, he inters beauty and feeling into certain scenes and sequences that add depth to this man's life we're seeing onscreen. It's easy to see the passion behind the camera and the script of Hicks.
He was obviously affected by this man and what became of his life and his talent. A host of male performances dominate this film with Rush, Mueller-Stahl, Taylor, and Gielgud each giving great work with their respective characters.
Though Rush is not in the film all that much as a lead, what time he does have, he dominates. His technically sound performance of this man's illness is touching, sad, and even humorous to watch. And Mueller-Stahl's embodying of the tyrant Helfgott's father is intimidating and angering.
He brings that oppressing, towering prescence in every scene he has. Though very quiet in its setup, there's a trascendence here that asks of us to live out our lives with no cares to the world around us, to use what is given to us, even as our lives evolve in ways we can't imagine.
This review of Shine (1996) was written by Leighton T on 24 Aug 2011.
Shine has generally received very positive reviews.
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