Shine [PG]

David Helgott shows immaculate talent as a pianist, but his promising career is never brought to fruition. As a boy, he was cited as possibly the best pianist of his generation, encouraged and pushed by his overwhelmingly pressuring father, who truly loves him but cannot understand nor positively manage his talent. Leaving his family to study in London as a young man, David’s talent flourishes until he determines to tackle Rachmaninoff; he pulls it off dazzlingly but then suffers a nervous collapse. Mentally and emotionally fragile, David lives for a time under psychiatric care, before re-entering society when he’s offered a home by newly made friends. Although dissuaded from playing, David takes up the piano again as a grown man and his talent that wilted before its prime again begins to shine. 

What an absolutely lovely and melancholy portrayal of a true tormented prodigy. Shine depicts the tragic life of eccentric genius David Helfgott and it boasts dazzling performances, a spectacular soundtrack, and captivating cinematography from the very first reel. 

David Helgott shows immaculate talent as a pianist, but his promising career is never brought to fruition. As a boy, he was cited as possibly the best pianist of his generation, encouraged and pushed by his overwhelmingly pressuring father, who truly loves him but cannot understand nor positively manage his talent. Leaving his family to study in London as a young man, David’s talent flourishes until he determines to tackle Rachmaninoff; he pulls it off dazzlingly but then suffers a nervous collapse. Mentally and emotionally fragile, David lives for a time under psychiatric care, before re-entering society when he’s offered a home by newly made friends. Although dissuaded from playing, David takes up the piano again as a grown man and his talent that wilted before its prime again begins to shine. 

I first wish to let you in on a little piece of trivia that makes this movie all the more emotional. For director Scott Hicks, making this movie was a personal ambition fulfilled as, from when he first saw Helgott perform in 1986, he determined to bring to the screen the story “of a boy who is never allowed to grow up, and who becomes a 40 year old child prodigy”. This little piece of interpretation and knowledge alone brings an even deeper level to the movie and makes everything that is already so beautiful and captivating about it shine brighter. 

The cinematography is absolutely astounding: an enticing platter of slow motion, extreme close ups, unfocused bottom frames, and crystal clarity. All the shots are crisp and the slow motion blended with the lightning speed of pianist Simon Tedesky’s fingers (he plays the piano blind, sitting behind Rush and Taylor with his arms through their sleeves) is just stunning. 

Geoffrey Rush as the adult Helfgott is just a genius. He delivers a performance that is just so dazzling that I can’t possibly find the words to describe it. Noah Taylor is the young man Helfgott and what a gem. He really shone! 

Starring Sonia Todd, Alex Rafalowicz, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Nicholas Bell, Googie Withers, John Gielgud, and Lynn Redgrave, Shine is a hugely captivating movie that’s filled with hope, drama, ambition, passion, genius, love, and a superb soundtrack by David Hirschfelder. I absolutely adored it!