Watch Shine

Shine is a biographical drama movie from 1996 that tells the story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, who suffered from mental illness and triumphed over it to become a celebrated musician. The film was directed by Scott Hicks and stars Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, John Gielgud, and Noah Taylor. The movie follows the life of David, a prodigious pianist with a turbulent and painful childhood. The story begins in Perth, Western Australia, in the 1950s, where David grows up with an overbearing father, Peter, who forces him to practice piano for hours on end. Peter is convinced that his son has exceptional talent and sees him as a way to redeem his own musical shortcomings. David's talent gains the attention of the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, where he wins a scholarship to study with the renowned pianist Cyril Smith. However, his mental health deteriorates under the pressure of his studies and the weight of his traumatic past. David suffers a nervous breakdown and is institutionalized, spending several years in psychiatric care. The second half of the movie deals with David's personal struggles and his journey towards recovery. He takes on menial jobs and avoids contact with classical music until he meets a woman named Gillian, who becomes his friend and confidante. With Gillian's support, David slowly returns to playing the piano and takes a job in a local bar, where he entertains the patrons with his music. Despite his initial success, David's mental illness continues to plague him, and he suffers a relapse during a performance. However, he is ultimately able to overcome his illness and make a triumphant comeback, performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in front of a packed audience. Shine is a moving and powerful film that deals with important themes such as mental illness, trauma, and the importance of following one's passion in life. The movie is anchored by Geoffrey Rush's incredible performance as David Helfgott. Rush perfectly captures the character's quirkiness, sensitivity, and vulnerability, making his eventual triumph all the more remarkable. The film also features strong supporting performances from Armin Mueller-Stahl, who plays David's father, and Noah Taylor, who appears as David's friend and former flatmate. The cinematography and score are both excellent, capturing the beauty and power of classical music and showcasing David's incredible talent as a pianist. Overall, Shine is a film that is both uplifting and heartbreaking, showing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the power of art and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, no matter the obstacles in one's path.