Shine [DVD]

It had been years since I've seen this, but I knew I loved it, so I purchased this copy (can't remember if it's dvd or blu-ray). If you haven't seen this movie, it's amazing. Based on the true story of child piano prodigy David Helfgott and his trauma that made him who he is today. Still alive and playing, to my knowledge. Geoffrey Rush is phenomenal as adult David.

I recommend this movie especially to fathers who love classical music. It is based on a true story and at the time of my review, the protagonist is still alive. It is amazing how some fathers try to live their frustrations from their lives through the lives of their children without realizing that the children are entitled to their own dreams and not responsible for living those of their parents. The acting is great - even for the minor characters. My favorite part is when the protagonist goes to a small eating joint where there was a piano, and some people start imagining that he cannot play anything interesting, and then they start listening to the "Bumblebee" song and everyone is amazed. It makes me think about humanity in general - here is a mentally challenged guy after he suffered a major breakdown, but he is still very pleasurable and appears happy and innocent. I wonder what features would define me and my personality after such emotional shock.

I loved Shine.I never watched it when it came out because I thought it would be too heavy. And while it is heavy, it’s not dominated by mental illness; if fact, there’s no scene with a psychiatrist, no dialogue about his diagnosis. What’s wonderful is—even having read a dissenting article—that you don’t need it. The filmmakers really focused on his life and his music. That doesn’t mean it was an accurate portrayal of mental illness; maybe, it isn’t. A lot of the character’s torment is left out. But they focused the story elsewhere.I loved the way you meet the character when he’s older and then you flash back to his childhood, and then his adolescence—which is the majority of the film. I loved Geoffrey Rush, and loved the younger versions of him as well.The father is truly frightening. I was afraid he was going to break his son’s hands in that final scene before David leaves to go to London to study at the College of Music. It was terrifying to see the pathology of his father and how the entire family was terrorized by this man’s fear and controlling behavior. And yet, that trauma makes the audience want more than ever for David to escape and live out his dream. Contrary to a NY Times article, I didn’t think the film was saying that the father’s abuse caused David’s mental illness; I just thought it was what happened, since it’s based on a real character. (Although, that’s disputed by the siblings, according to Wikipedia.)What’s interesting is David fulfilling his father’s single-minded wish for him to attempt the “Rach 3,” as his London teacher calls it. Did his father want him to triumph over it, (as he did) or fail? This question hangs over the film. It’s interesting that David had his breakdown once he conquered that behemoth of a composition. It makes you wonder if the filmmakers were drawing a subtle connection between David’s mental illness and his father’s behavior. I guess I just refuted my own argument. There’s also the wish-fulfillment of his teacher played by John Gielgud, who disproves his smug, doubting colleague by believing in David’s genius.The last part of the movie is so wonderful, a fantasy really, where these wonderful women love David and look after him. And the fact that the Lynn Redgrave character changed her marriage plans based on his astrological transits was so fun! I can’t get the image of Geoffrey Rush jumping up and down on the trampoline, naked except for a raincoat, with sun block on his face.

l just reviewed the book "love you to bits and pieces" by Mrs. helfgott, so I am repeating myself here. I do know the helfgotts, personally, and their story. I found the movie intriguing and inspiring. I understand that the family thinks the father is portrayed too harshly, and think that may be true. Geoffrey Rush is magnificent! Grand Movie and music!

The absolute genius of David Helfgott at the piano is a marvel. He totally shines while in his own personal zone playing (which transcends to the viewer as well). Sadly, his personal life is complicated due to an overpowering father and weak mother. The movie has moments where it becomes difficult to understand what he is saying due to his mental breakdown. I saw the movie years ago, forgot some parts, but purchased nonetheless to add to my DVD library. I obviously will view it again and again attempting to sort out more details as one does when viewing multiple times.

I’ve loved this movie since it came out on disc years ago.Gave it to one of my sons, and wanted to buy it again!

If you love classical piano music - the true story of this remarkable Classical musician will inspire and warm the heart. The profound inspiration of agape love that healed a broken mind and brought to blossom what might have been forever lost of an incredibly gifted musician.

This is an amazing story, with wonderful music and great acting - what more do you want? Guns, car chases, steamy sex, mindless entertainment? Not available with this movie! Do you like to ponder the human condition, as it is portrayed in the personal? Would you like the experience of the movie to linger, perhaps invade your thoughts and challenge your ideas? Done and done.Oh, what's it about? A young man with musical genius and a fragile sense of self, as well as a tyrannical father who, nonetheless, loves him deeply, collapses emotionally and psychologically after his performance of the "Rach. 5" piano concerto, spends years in hospitals and half-way houses, but is eventually rescued and rediscovered. Although he movie could have been tragic or simply "feel good," it reaches a little higher, examining complex relationships and, interestingly, the kindness of strangers, which apparently exists in far more abundance in Australia than in the U.S. The story does not follow a completely autobiographical story arc, but than life so rarely does. Enjoy!

Probablemente mi favorita de Geoffrey Rush junto a Los Miserables y Quills.

El precio tan adecuado y haberla encontrado. Es un a de mis preferidas!

感動しました映画です。

Superbe film , bien reçu , bien emballé

Amazing Movie. Geoffrey Rush won me over as a fan when I saw him in this movie may years ago. I have been searching to purchase the DVD for years and was so glad to find it on Amazon! Now my husband is a Geoffrey Rush fan too. Beautiful message of unconditional love.