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
From metacritic.com
Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're excited about this month, like Mortal Kombat, "Them," and Stowaway.
Related News
-
How often do the SAG Awards go 4/4 with the Oscars?
08 April 2021 | Gold Derby -
Bruce Dern
06 April 2021 | Trailers from Hell -
‘The Unholy’ Film Review: Miracles, Mayhem and Monotony in Meh Religious Thriller
01 April 2021 | The Wrap
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Shine (1996)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
User Polls
Edit
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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
As a child piano prodigy, David Helfgott's musical ambitions generate friction with his overbearing father, Peter. When Helfgott travels to London on a musical scholarship, his career as a pianist blossoms. However, the pressures of his newfound fame, coupled with the echoes of his tumultuous childhood, conspire to bring Helfgott's latent schizophrenia boiling to the surface, and he spends years in and out of various mental institutions. Written by Jwelch5742
Taglines:
A true story of the mystery of music and the miracle of love See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for nudity/sensuality and intense thematic elements | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Performed by David Helfgott
© 1994 RAP Production, Denmark
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Convinced he had a subject for a film that could move people as much as David Helfgott's own performances moved him, director Scott Hicks developed the film's story and struggled to pull the project forward, even as he took time off to write and direct another feature film, and to travel to a host of remote locations, from China to Africa, to film a series of award-winning documentaries. See more »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. See more »Crazy Credits
Himself: hand double for Geoffrey Rush See more »Soundtracks
Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Opus 3, No. 2Composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Performed by David Helfgott
© 1994 RAP Production, Denmark
See more »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
AustraliaRelease Date:
14 February 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Shine See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$5,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$162,179, 24 November 1996Gross USA:
$35,892,330Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$35,999,081Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
This is a good film in every sense but will mean most to fathers with strong views :).
The story of a brilliant young pianist whose relationship with his father drives him to some sort of mental illness. Watchable, absorbing, brilliantly edited, deeply seriously moving, one of the rare films that pays attention to incidental sound. Wonderful direction and acting. This is a seriously good film.