Shining Through Darkness

Rating: Null/10 (24 November 2010)

Scott Hicks tells a moving story of musician David Helfgott, a child prodigy who vanishes into oblivion because of a mental illness while he continues battling his inner demons. The storytelling is non-linear but it's easy to follow and the director manages to grab the viewer's attention. Hicks has used a minimal approach in execution. The sets and art direction are simplistic. The cinematography and score is subtle (except for the key instrumental pieces). The musical pieces have been used very effectively and they are featured in some of the most poignant scenes. I liked that the director doesn't manipulate the viewer's emotion too much (which is the kind of risk one would run when making a truth-based story) through melodrama or excessive glossiness. In addition, 'Shine' has some first rate performances lead wonderfully by an amazing Geoffrey Rush and a superb Noah Taylor. Rush has delivered one of the finest portrayals of a mentally ill character. They are excellently supported by Armin Muller-Stahl, Nicholas Bell and Lynn Redgrave. 'Shine' is a very human uplifiting movie. After the credits have rolled, one feels a sense of positiveness as they have just witnessed the triumph of a trapped and tortured soul.