Shine

The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy, this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars, with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott, a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math, chess, and piano, David is driven ...more

Australian director Scott Hicks's breakthrough is a fairly standard but arrestingly performed biopic about David Helfgott, a young piano prodigy who finds solace in his music, despite his potentially damaging mental state. After a narratively haphazard first reel, the film gains momentum as it traces the older Helfgott's life, brought to life by Geoffrey Rush's blazing portrayal of the alienated pianist. The film was a momentous hit in its native country, where it won nine Australian Film ...more