As befits the subject, with his taste for the romantic repertoire, Shine' is not afraid of stirring up big emotions. It earns them honorably.

| Feb 26, 2018

Inspired by the true story of the Australian classical pianist prodigy David Helfgott.

| Original Score: B- | Oct 28, 2015

Shine beams with warmth, sensitivity, and fine taste, but some of that illumination is the work of our own reflector lamps.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 7, 2011

Intense, gripping mental-illness music drama.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 1, 2011

[Helfgott's] extraordinary life is intelligently charted here, and the three actors who play him at different stages are all exceptional.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2008

With the exception of a few overwrought scenes, Hicks' Australian biopic of pianist David Helfgott, which caused a bidding war at the 1996 Sundance Fest, is fresh and emotionally stirring without being sentimental or cliched.

| Original Score: A- | Dec 25, 2007

The movie is really an Oscar sandwich -- stale bread surrounding a big piece of ham: Geoffrey Rush.

| Original Score: C- | Sep 23, 2007

Compassionate, deft, unsentimental, inspirational.

| Jun 24, 2006

Inspiring, memorable cinema.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 11, 2005

I declare "Shine" to be the best film of the year!

| Apr 9, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Oct 21, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | May 14, 2003

God save us from yet another holy fool movie. Geoffrey Rush has been much better.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 11, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 11, 2003

A tremendous biopic about overcoming the odds. It's what 'A Beautiful Mind' wants to grow up to be.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 4, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 8, 2002

Australia's gift to the movie world this year is a shimmering jewel called Shine.

| Oct 15, 2002

Pays tribute to the important role of soul-friends in the nurturing of one's creative talents.

| Aug 26, 2002

I went from disliking the movie the first time to coming, grudgingly, to respect it as a very clever, albeit misleading, melodrama.

| Mar 24, 2002

Inspired by the real story of classical pianist David Helfgott, "Shine" re-creates that emotionally piercing story, note by memorable note.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 22, 2002