Shine

PG-13

Released Jan 21, 1996

1 hr. 45 min.

Biography

Drama

List

91%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

As a child piano prodigy, David Helfgott's (Geoffrey Rush) musical ambitions generate friction with his overbearing father, Peter (Armin Mueller-Stahl). 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.

Read More

Read Less

Critics Consensus

Featuring a strong performance from Geoffrey Rush, Shine succeeds in telling a compelling, inspirational story without resorting to cheap sentimentality.

Read Critics Reviews

Dean C

Brilliant performance by Geoffrey Rush, good sound mixing and some well shot scenes. It just didn't engage me as much especially in the third act.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

A decent enough film, questionable as to the extent to which it reflects true events. I'm unconvinced it's gripping enough to be a Best Picture nominee but it was an ok watch, especially early on, with shades of Whiplash about it. I watched on DVD as it has largely been forgotten elsewhere.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

Full Review

John H

Solid biopic with a great performance by Geoffrey Rush.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

Full Review

Raphael G

One of my favorite movies during my teenage years, especially between 16 and 18. It inspired me a lot and led me to the discovery of Rachmaninoff's music.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

TJ F

A classic that you can always watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

JM A

'SHINE' IS AT THE TOP OF BEST FILMS ABOUT PRODIGY CHILD & DOMINEERING FATHER, CAUSING OPPRESSION & SUPPRESSION ISSUES IN THE GENIUS CHILD, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A BREAKDOWN ....AND THEN HIS ENGAGING( BEING A GEMINI & MARRYING A FAB SAG), COMPASSIONATE & AMAZING COMEBACK TO THE TOP....A MUST SEE....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE IS AUTISTIC OR SCHIZOPHRENIC BUT, I SAY NO. I SAY HE WAS A VERY BRIGHT, TALENTED & SENSITIVE CHILD WHO WAS ABUSED....POSSIBLY WITH ASPERGERS SYNDROME (IT CAUSES SHYNESS & SOCIAL FEARS WHILE BEING BRILLIANT) IF ANY CONDITION WHICH CAUSED THE BREAKDOWN FROM YEARS OF PRESSURE UPON HIM. A MUST SEE!! BRAVO!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Scott Hicks

Director

Geoffrey Rush

David as an Adult

Justin Braine

Tony

Sonia Todd

Sylvia

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Peter

Noah Taylor

David as an Adolescent

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

79%

91%

Without Limits

73%

68%

Girl With a Pearl Earring

74%

93%

A Beautiful Mind

TRAILER

for A Beautiful Mind

68%

85%

Lean on Me

74%

79%

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

10 Rockin’ Music Biopics

"Xanadu" Roller Skates Again Off-Broadway

Spielberg Settles On "Munich"

View more photos

David Ansen

Newsweek

As befits the subject, with his taste for the romantic repertoire, Shine' is not afraid of stirring up big emotions. It earns them honorably.

Feb 26, 2018

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Shine beams with warmth, sensitivity, and fine taste, but some of that illumination is the work of our own reflector lamps.

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

David Stratton

Variety

[Helfgott's] extraordinary life is intelligently charted here, and the three actors who play him at different stages are all exceptional.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Inspired by the true story of the Australian classical pianist prodigy David Helfgott.

Rated: B-

Oct 28, 2015

Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Intense, gripping mental-illness music drama.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 1, 2011

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

With the exception of a few overwrought scenes, Hicks' Australian biopic of pianist David Helfgott, which caused a bidding war at the 1996 Sundance Fest, is fresh and emotionally stirring without being sentimental or cliched.

Rated: A-

Dec 25, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

As a child piano prodigy, David Helfgott's (Geoffrey Rush) musical ambitions generate friction with his overbearing father, Peter (Armin Mueller-Stahl). 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.

Director: Scott Hicks
Screenwriter: Scott Hicks, Jan Sardi
Distributor: Fine Line Features
Production Co: Film Victoria
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.9M
Sound Mix: Surround