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March 2000

Shine
Reviewed by Doug Schneider
DVD Format

Overall Enjoyment: ***
Picture Quality: ****1/2
Sound Quality: *****
Packaged Extras: ***

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, Alex Rafalowicz, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Lynn Redgrave

Directed by Scott Hicks

Theatrical Release: 1996
DVD Release: 1997
Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen


Despite its widespread popularity and high critical acclaim, I did not see Shine in the theaters when it was first released. It was only after I saw its director’s latest effort, Snow Falling on Cedars, that I decided to watch Shine on DVD. Since Snow Falling on Cedars was outstanding in terms of cinematography and storytelling, I had similar hopes for Shine. In some ways my expectations were met, but in other ways they were sadly disappointed.

Shine tells the real life story of piano prodigy, David Helfgott. It explores the struggles he endured as a child and the pressures that eventually led to his complete mental breakdown. The film seems to suggest that Helfgott never fully recovered from this adolescent lapse.

The role of Helfgott is played by three outstanding actors, each of whom portray Helfgott in the separate phases of his maturity. However, it is Geoffrey Rush’s performance of Helfgott as an adult that has garnered the most acclaim. In fact, Rush won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance.

Hicks opens the film with the adult Helfgott stumbling into a small restaurant. He then uses multiple flashbacks to tell the story of how this obviously troubled person arrived at such a state of destitution. It’s a touching tale about an abusive and controlling father, a weakened and saddened mother, and the people who tried to help Helfgott. While I admired and enjoyed the film, I was never fully engrossed.

My main criticism is that although the film effectively tells Helfgott’s story, it fails to address some fundamental issues. For instance, there is never a satisfactory explanation for why Helfgott suffered from a breakdown in the first place. Viewers can conclude for themselves that it stemmed from his father’s well-meaning encouragement and his inexcusable abuse. However, these assumptions are never explicitly legitimized. While it is clear that Helfgott was pressured for success by his father, and that as a young child he was held back whenever he feared that his success would take him from his family, the connection is never made absolutely. In the director’s extras, Hicks explains this omission. He comments that he wants to avoid a "clinical storytelling." In other words, he purposely omits clear explanations. While the depth of the movie may have been satisfactory to some, it was not for me.

Furthermore, there are too many cutesy moments in the film, such as the constant references to Helfgott’s desire to run and jump around naked, along with a seemingly uncontrollable urge to cop-a-feel of women’s breasts. It may be endearing to some, but it seems more like sideshow entertainment than mental illness.

However, in terms of technical merit, much like Snow Falling on Cedars, the cinematography in Shine is excellent and it transfers very well to DVD. Picture quality is very good, while sound quality ranges from just mediocre to very good. The dialogue is often slightly muted and many sounds are not distinct enough. Surround effects are used minimally, but done tastefully in certain concert segments, which created an enveloping effect of orchestra and audience. The only time that I felt that the sound excelled was at the point of Helfgott’s breakdown during a concert. The climax of this is thunderous and extremely effective. Combined with the visuals, the mixture of sight and sound leave a lasting impression.

The DVD extras are mediocre and a bit unusual -- one has to flip the disc to access them. Included are the questions and answers with Scott Hicks that do offer some interesting insight into the film. Also look for Geoffrey Rush’s Golden Globe Awards acceptance speech, which is in itself interesting to watch if only for the many other popular actors and actresses it features. (It is amazing to see how much younger and different they look even though it was only a few years ago!). And, of course, the DVD includes the theatrical trailer.

I don’t doubt that there are many people who will enjoy Shine much more than I did. Like I said, I found it good, but not engrossing enough to be considered outstanding. Some find it inspirational and uplifting. I didn’t. Perhaps I was expecting too much, or perhaps I was expecting it to be as enjoyable as Snow Falling on Cedars (which, ironically, is receiving very little recognition at the box office). Whatever the case, Shine is a good movie that is definitely worth viewing if you have not seen it already.


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