SHINE

SHINE is based on the life of David Helfgott, an exceptionally talented boy who is pushed relentlessly by his father, Elias, to be a better pianist than anyone else. Elias forces all David’s family to be musicians and denies them any freedom to make decisions for themselves. David competes in music competitions and begins to win recognition, but when he gets offered an opportunity to study in the United States, his father denies him this opportunity. Instead, David accepts a music scholarship to an English university even though it means being utterly disowned by his father. Later, David plays a concert with such indescribable passion, it results in David suffering a brain seizure. The remainder of the film concerns David’s journey back to emotional healing and success.

Sin bears consequences, and we see that Elias, as well as David, suffers immensely for the treatment and rejection of his son. Yet, years afterward, Elias returns to acknowledge David. Add to these a positive portrayal of Judaism and secondary characters who act kindly towards David, even during his lowest moments, and you have a very uplifting theatrical experience. There are two scenes of violence upon David by his father that are quite scary. There is a brief scene of semi-nude dancers and two shots of male rear nudity in an asexual connotation. SHINE is not a Christian film by any means, but it is good filmmaking, a moral film that honors human spirit.