Shine (1996)
- Starring:
- Armin Mueller-Stahl, Noah Taylor, (more)
- Director(s):
- Scott Hicks
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
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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 hard by his overbearing father (Armin Mueller-Stahl), a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern. Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks (John Gielgud), David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" (known as the "Rach 3"). Years later, the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend, he meets astrologer Gillian (Lynn Redgrave), and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help, David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the "Rach 3." The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott, whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected, sparking criticism that writer-director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 105 mins
Complete Cast:
- Armin Mueller-Stahl - Peter Helfgott
- Geoffrey Rush - Adult David Helfgott
- John Gielgud - Prof. Cecil Parks
- Nicholas Bell - Ben Rosen
- Brenton Whittle - Announcer
- Alex Rafalowicz - David as a Boy
- David L. King - Viney
- Randall Berger - Isaac Stern
- Daphne Grey - Society Hostess
- Phyllis Burford - Synagogue Secretary
- Paul Linkson - State Champion Announcer
- Chris Haywood - Sam
- Noah Taylor - Teenage David Helfgott
- Lynn Redgrave - Gillian Helfgott
- Googie Withers - Katharine Susannah Prichard
- Robert Hands - Robert
- Neil Thomson - RCOM Conductor
- Mark Warren - Ray
- John Martin - Roger Woodward (older)
- Mark Lawrence - Musician
- John Cousins - Jim Minogue
- Edwin Hodgeman - Soviet Society Secretary
- Sonia Todd - Sylvia
- Director(s):
- Scott Hicks
- Writer(s):
- Jan Sardi
- Producer(s):
- Sally Campbell, Jane Scott
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13(Adult Situations, Brief Nudity, Questionable for Children)
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1996 - Shine - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actor
- 1996 - Shine - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
- 1996 - Shine - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actor
- 1996 - Shine - National Board of Review - Best Picture
- 1996 - Shine - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
- 1996 - Shine - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actor
