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Shine
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Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Geoffrey Rush
  • Summary: Inspired by the troubled but ultimately triumphant life of classical pianist David Helfgott, Shine focuses on Helfgott's painful retreat into a private world while still in his early 20's and on the brink of a glittering international career. Spanning the 1950's to the 1980's, Shine dramatizes the deeply moving way in which Helfgott, after a decade of obscurity, achieves both personal and professional fulfillment through the love and support of a remarkable woman. (Fine Line Features)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    100
    This is unbelievably rich material, and I can say without reservation that Scott Hicks' work deserves the highest recognition. Shine truly does what its name says.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    All but sweeps you away with its dazzling technique and shattering emotion. [27 November 1996, Tempo, p.1]
    All this critic's reviews
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    The fact that David Helfgott lived the outlines of these events--that he triumphed, that he fell, that he came slowly back--adds an enormous weight of meaning to the film.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. GeorgeM.
    10
    Deep, full of love, perfectly acted and brings up the question: who is really insane?
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. FelixQ.
    9
    Truly a piece of art. So many times are mentally handicapped people- whether having been born that way or later becoming so- portrayed in a very cookie cutter way. I am Sam and The Other Sister come to mind- although these two films are both great in their own respect and fulfill a very important role, Shine goes the route that desperately needed to be explored. I think one thing that sets this apart for me was the format. We don't follow the younger David only to be told *Shock!* he suffers a mental setback! We're not focusing on the fact, either. This film is about the man behind the talent, and the talent that fronts a mental ilness that proved to be David's challenge in place of possibly poverty or a physical disability. We explore the diversity of a character instead of getting pre-occupied by his set-backs. I would say, for me, this missed the 10/10 because it's so very much a product of it's time. Of course, the time stamp is inevitable, but there have been great films that have transcended that- this one did not. But still an amazing piece of art, when all is said and done.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. nutterjr
    8
    Geoffrey Rush is phenomenal in this movie, the kind of performance that turns this into a must see film and deservedly won an Oscar among other accolades. Armin Mueller-Stahl is also brilliant and although outshone by Rush, still deserves a mention.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 7 User Reviews

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