Shine is a biographical drama based on the life of pianist David Helfgott played by Geoffrey Rush.  Geoffrey Rush won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1997 for Shine.  The movie traces the events that lead to the mental illness of Helfgott which took him away from a promising career as a pianist in his earlier years.  There is some dispute about the representation of Helfgott’s father in the movie.

Mind Stars – Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, Armin Mueller-Stahl, John Gielgud, Lynn Redgrave

What we like

• Helfgott is given assistance from so many different people throughout his life which eventually lead him to rise above his illness
• Later in his life, Helfgott starts to play in public once again at a restaurant.  Through his playing there he eventually meets his future wife and his life dramatically changes

Mind experience

• Although Helfgott’s love of music lead to his illness it was also that which saved him.   It seemed that it was what the music represented to others that placed so much pressure on him.  When he was encouraged to play for himself this is when his mind and playing soared

To think about

• David:  You can’t lose ’em all.

Link to David Helfgoott website
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