Shine

Scott Hicks, Australia 1996, 105 minutes

Shine tells the story of David Helfgott, the now world-famous pianist and composer. A child prodigy he eventually left Australia for the London School of Music but, due to the pressures of performance, his rejection by his father and other contributing factors he suffered a nervous breakdown while performing at the Royal Albert Hall. Director Scott Hicks returns to the present day as David wanders the streets, sees a piano in a restaurant, makes his way through the crowds and proceeds to play; his rehabilitation begins.

An absolutely stunning film, Shine is essentially two tales skilfully blended together. The second tale is that of David's rehabilitation with David being played by Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush. Rush is the personification of David, even physically resembling him. His portrayal of a man whom different people term eccentric or mad asks important questions not heard since Rainman. This second part is an absolute joy to watch, and of course to listen to, forming an important balance to the somewhat more sombre first half.

In the first we see David as a young boy and adolescent; nervous, twitchy, constantly pushed. Noah Taylor shines through as the teenage David, forever on edge, forever striving to achieve. Taylor is a joy to watch in what is essentially a very moving tale and one suspects that if he had been eligible for the Oscar he may even have won it. Added to Taylor's excellent performance t is that of Sir John Gielgud. Taking the role of David's piano tutor in London he positively revels in the role given to him; that of an over arty, musical, red wine drinking wise old man. Gielgud adds an air of lightness to the story that is essential lighten this darker part of the film. Scott Hick's cast are a dream. All act as if their lives depended on doing justice to a story that tugs the heartstrings at every opportunity. It is his handling of the story that really impresses though as the story never becomes overly heavy or too lighhearted. It is never selfpitying, always played with dignity and warmth. His script does true justice to an incredibly compelling story and his direction and cast make what was essentially a very small movie into a truly massive and wonderful film. Shine was the film of 1996, see it again and make it your film of 1997

Review by Andrew Hesketh
Taken from EUFS Programme 1997-98