Shine is a touching movie about an Austalian child prodigy, David Helfgott. He plays the piano. His father is a victom of the second world war and lost many family members. He never really came over the war and therefor holds a strong grip on his own family. He wil not let David go to Amerika where he is offered to live and study. David will finally break with his father and goes to England to study. There he will study hard to master Rachmaninov piano concerto no. 3, his fathers favorite play. David plays the Rach 3 and completely breaks down.

Later he starts playing again, moves back to Australia, and finds a job as a concert pianist in a fish restaurant. Things are going well for David as he meets Gillian. His father came and visits David one more time.

Parts of the movie are based on real fact parts are fictional.

One of the best parts is the music throuout the movie. Some are actually played by David Helfgott.