Another famous movie and 'must' for pianopals is Shine (because there's light at the end of the tunnel). The movie is based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, this delightful movie charts the early and traumatic early years. Telling the story in flashback we see David as he grows up and into a child prodigy while his father abuses him and his siblings with the memory of his childhood in Europe and the loss of his family in the concentration camps. David finally breaks away from his father and goes away to study overseas, he later suffers a breakdown and returns to Australia and a life in an institution. Many years later he is released and through several twists of fate (in reality even more unlikely than film portrays) he starts playing a piano in a bar before finally returning to the concert hall. A true story about David Helfgott (played by Alex Rafalowicz, Noah Taylor, and Geoffrey Rush), a gifted, young, classical pianist, Shine explores the issues surrounding a father's stifling love for his son and the profound effect of that love as manifested in the son's breakdown and slow journey to recovery. David's musical gift is both nurtured and suffocated by his overbearing father, Peter (Armin Mueller-Stahl). Upon winning a national championship, David is given the opportunity to study in America. Initially, it seems that even finances will present no obstacle; however, Peter inevitably forbids him to go and David concedes to his wishes. Yet another blow comes when Peter refuses to let him pursue a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. In stark contrast to his past deference to his father, David leaves with the full knowledge that Peter will disown him -- an incredibly courageous move. Once at school, David tackles -- in a stunning performance -- the most difficult of all piano pieces, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, which ultimately sends him over the edge. It's only when David leaves the sanitarium and begins playing piano in a local pub that he begins to craft some semblance of a normal life. Fortunately, this task is made somewhat easier by the newfound love of his wife, Gillian (Lynn Redgrave), the subsequent death of his father, and a moving concert performance for a receptive audience of fans, friends, and family. The great joy of the movie is the tremendously uplifting return to his music that David is able to make. That return is the result of a long process, during which he undergoes a great deal more than most of us could endure. Part of his final triumph is his meeting Gillian (Lynn Redgrave), the woman who stands by him and finally marries him.

Some links :

A Movie Review. 1.
A Movie Review. 2.
The influence of WW II.
Our page about Rachmaninov.
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