Living life through the balance of talent and skill.

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2010)

An incredibly captivating film that does the right thing in keeping its running time below two hours. The story of the talented pianist David Helfgott who looses his mind, much due to his father's harsh treatment, is partly based on a true story, and is arresting right from the opening scene. Geoffrey Rush won the Oscar for Best Leading Actor, although he only appears for about 40 minutes of the film, and he, Alex Rafalowicz and Noah Taylor all makes for great performances as the leading man throughout his maturing life. We are naturally charmed and compelled by Helfgott and his incredible piano skills, and although the film could easily have been a downer, it's uplifting, full of wonderful humor and enjoyable.