Shine

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

58K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:22

3 Videos

60 Photos

Biography Drama Music Romance

David Helfgott, a gifted pianist, struggles through childhood as his dysfunctional father abuses him and his siblings. Years later, he suffers a mental breakdown but manages to return as a l... Read allDavid Helfgott, a gifted pianist, struggles through childhood as his dysfunctional father abuses him and his siblings. Years later, he suffers a mental breakdown but manages to return as a legend.David Helfgott, a gifted pianist, struggles through childhood as his dysfunctional father abuses him and his siblings. Years later, he suffers a mental breakdown but manages to return as a legend.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

58K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 46 wins & 52 nominations total

Videos3

Photos60

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Geoffrey Rush had once learned the piano up until aged fourteen. He took up piano lessons again thirty years later for this movie and also acted as his own hand double and body double.

Goofs
The character shows all signs of schizophrenia; not bipolar disorder (formerly known as "manic-depressive disorder"), as is claimed in the film. The real David Helfgott likewise displays many symptoms of schizophrenia and none of bipolar disorder.

Quotes
Cecil Parkes: You must play as if there's no tomorrow.

Crazy credits
Himself: hand double for Geoffrey Rush

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Star Trek: First Contact/Shine/Jingle All the Way/Sling Blade/Microcosmos (1996)

Soundtracks
With A Girl Like You
Written by Reg Presley
© 1966 Dick James Music Limited
Performed by The Troggs
© 1966 Mercury Ltd. London

User reviews128

Featured review

7/10

A little slight on the writing, but the acting and presentation is brilliant

When I originally saw this film in the mid-90's, I was absolutely devastated throughout the first forty-five minutes. So much so, I was pretty much uncontrollably weeping, much to the chagrin of the friend I went with. Time has softened the film a lot for me, but it still remains a powerful, tender and somewhat inspirational film about a piano prodigy who has led a pretty tragic life. Geoffrey Rush is unbelievable as the piano prodigy David Helfgott, and although the film is kind of sewn up a little quickly with the Vanessa Redgrave subplot (what about Helfgott made her so in love with him in a short period of time as to want to marry him?) it is a very well done film that I highly recommend to just about anyone, but especially musicians and music lovers.

--Shelly