David Ansen Newsweek Feb 26, 2018

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

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Oct 28, 2015 B-

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

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Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Sep 7, 2011 B+

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

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Charles Cassady Common Sense Media Feb 1, 2011 4/5

Intense, gripping mental-illness music drama.

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David Stratton Variety Oct 18, 2008

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

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Dec 25, 2007 A-

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.

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Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Sep 23, 2007 C-

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

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Trevor Johnston Time Out Jun 24, 2006

Compassionate, deft, unsentimental, inspirational.

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Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Sep 11, 2005 3.5/4

Inspiring, memorable cinema.

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Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Apr 9, 2005

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

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Dragan Antulov rec.arts.movies.reviews Oct 21, 2003 4/10

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Jeanne Aufmuth Palo Alto Weekly May 14, 2003 4/4

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Rob Vaux Flipside Movie Emporium Jan 11, 2003 2/5

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

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Nicolas Lacroix Showbizz.net Jan 11, 2003 4/5

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Widgett Walls Needcoffee.com Jan 4, 2003 4/5

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

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Brian J. Arthurs Beach Reporter (Southern California) Nov 8, 2002 3/5

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Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer Oct 15, 2002

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

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Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Aug 26, 2002

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

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Desson Thomson Washington Post Jan 22, 2002 4.5/5

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

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Alex Ramirez Cinenganos Aug 31, 2001 4/5

Dar mucho de qu hablar, y les dejar un grato sabor de boca. Imposible no verla.

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