THE TRUE STORY OF DAVID HELFGOTT : "SHINE"

This was actually my second attempt at this film. The first time round was actually in the cinema. I didn’t get through it that time around though. Those of you who have watched it will know, the first half of the film is absolutely heart-rending. I was young (possibly too young) and my mother has always been of a sensitive nature especially if there are children or young people suffering in the movie. So we left thirty minutes into it. I was not looking forward to watching it again to be honest. And believe me when I tell you, it is as difficult to watch as I remember it. But it is also greatly rewarding. And it has a happy ending – well… No not sort of. It definitely has a happy ending… Which, considering that this is a true story, is a very comforting and uplifting thing to know.
David Helfgott was put on this earth to play the piano. This is very obvious to everyone around him from a very young age indeed. He wins competitions, distinctions and scholarships to famous music schools. There is however, a problem. David’s father is a strict , rather old fashioned man (to put it very mildly). He encourages David to play the piano, he is in fact his first piano teacher, but breaking up the family? Going to far away schools? Never. Mr. Rozen, David’s second piano teacher insists. David who is shy and quiet by nature puts up as much of a fight as he can, but to no avail. All seems lost, and David almost gives up until that is, the Royal Music College in London also gets in touch a few years later. David knows this chance will not come around again, and despite his father’s threats to cut all connections with him for good, goes out into the world. And he sores, becoming one of the most famous concert pianists of his time, until… Mounting pressure leads to a mental breakdown, leaving him with schizoid personality disorder and completely unable to even complete the most mundane daily chores, let alone play the piano professionally. Until, quite by chance, an old fan discovers him in the mental institution his family have put him in back in Australia. This well meaning lady will be the unwitting beginning of a chain of events that will lead David further and higher than he could have ever, ever dreamt of…
There are two things I particularly want to talk about concerning this film. The first is Geoffry Rush, starring as the adult David Helfgott. You probably know that he won an Oscar ® for this part. We all know that the Oscars® aren’t always exactly fair representations of an actor’s performance in a film, a lot of the time other factors come into play. But in this instance, rarely have I seen anyone present such quality acting that is more deserving of any distinction it can get its hands on. David Helfgott’s disorder means that he talks almost non-stop at a great speed making the role incredibly hard to interpret for anyone. I mean, it’s just so incredible that Shine is worth watching for Rush’s performance alone.
But then there is Helfgott himself. And his story. And as we all know every film begins with a good story. This story is about knowing what you were made for and pushing on. Helfgott never quite lets go of the piano. He play nonstop – and brilliantly to the point of obsession whenever he comes into contact with one after his break down. His determination and will to carry on gets him noticed. I strongly believe, that no matter what obstacles life throws at you, if you know what you want to do is, you can do it. A way can be found. Life will throw you obstacles, but if you stick at the game, life will also throw you allies. It is all about believing. And working at something, never minding the odds. This is what Helfgott has done and for his troubles, is touring the world giving concerts to this day, a thing his doctors once told him he would never, ever be able to do again…
An interesting footnote is that Helfgott’s siblings raised a number of objections to the film, notably the treatment of their father. In the film, Mr. Helfgott is a complete and utter tyrant; it was his treatment of David as a child that drove me and Mom out of the cinema 30 minutes into the film. I guess it is fair to say there may well be some artistic license in there somewhere. But that doesn’t make the film any less worthy of praise or Helfgott’s story any less worth watching and taking a lesson from. Worth watching at least once, if not more I say..