Shine (1996)

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

Director:

Scott Hicks

Writers:

Jan Sardi (screenplay), Scott Hicks (story)

Stars:

Geoffrey Rush, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd

Won 1 Oscar. Another 43 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Geoffrey Rush	...	David Helfgott - Adult
Justin Braine	...	Tony
Sonia Todd	...	Sylvia
Chris Haywood	...	Sam
Alex Rafalowicz	...	David Helfgott - Child
Gordon Poole	...	Eisteddfod Presenter
Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Peter
Nicholas Bell	...	Ben Rosen
Danielle Cox	...	Suzie - Child
Rebecca Gooden	...	Margaret
Marta Kaczmarek	...	Rachel
John Cousins	...	Jim Minogue
Noah Taylor	...	David Helfgott - Adolescent
Paul Linkson	...	State Champion Announcer
Randall Berger	...	Isaac Stern

Storyline

Based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, this delightful movie charts the traumatic early years through adulthood. Telling the story in flashback we see David as a child prodigy and as he grows up while his patriarchal father abuses him and his siblings with the memory of his childhood in Europe and the loss of his family in the concentration camps. David finally breaks away from his father and goes away to study overseas, he later suffers a breakdown and returns to Australia and a life in an institution. Many years later he is released and through several twists of fate (in reality even more unlikely than film portrays) he starts playing a piano in a bar before finally returning to the concert hall.

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Plot Keywords:

pianist | piano | abuse | concert | concert hall | 

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Taglines:

A true story of the mystery of music and the miracle of love

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity/sensuality and intense thematic elements

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Claroscuro

Filming Locations:

Adelaide Botanic Gardens & Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£702,400 (UK) (17 January 1997)

Gross:

$35,811,509 (USA) (30 May 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Film Victoria, South Australian Feature Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dustin Hoffman expressed interest in playing David Helfgott, as his music and life story have both moved him.

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Goofs

The mezzuzah, a Jewish religious scroll attached to a home's door posts, on Ben Rosen's home is angled the wrong way; it should be angled toward the entrance of the home.

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Quotes

Cecil Parkes: Rachmaninov? Are you sure?
David: Kind of. I'm not really sure about anything.
Cecil Parkes: The Rach 3. It's monumental.
David: It's a mountain. The hardest piece you could everest play.

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Crazy Credits

Himself: hand double for Geoffrey Rush

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Connections

Referenced in Janeane Garofalo (1997)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A stunning film

This movie is definitely in my top five favorite movies of all time. It is unbelievably brilliant. Geoffrey Rush, dare I say, is perhaps the greatest actor of modern times. His performance alone is worth watching, let alone the outstanding supporting cast! Definitely not in typical Hollywood fashion, the movie is a truly great indie film. A must see for music lovers and indie film lovers alike.