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This movie is based on the true story
of Australian pianist David Helfgott. I found the first half of the movie
a little dull, but the information relayed during that half was necessary
for fully understanding and appreciating the second half. David is represented
by three actors during the film, first by Alex Rafalowicz as a child, then
by Noah Taylor as a teenager and young adult and finally by Geoffrey Rush
as an older adult. David Helfgott is an excellent pianist with little or
no social skills, I think one character in the movie described him quite
well when she referred to him as a child prodigy even though he was an
adult at the time. (I felt that at that point in his life he acted as though
he had grown older, but never grew up, or it might be more accurate to
say he entered his second childhood at a very early age.) David had a very
domineering father who insisted on David being the best pianist, yet at
the same time held him back from getting the training which would help
him achieve his greatest potential. David, as a teenager, finally defied
his father and accepted a scholarship overseas. However just as he seemed
to be grasping has full potential he suffered a breakdown and returned
to Australia where he lived for a time in an institution because he father
will no longer have anything to do with him. From there he slowly worked
his way back up to playing in the concert halls, although he never regained
the few social skills he had before the breakdown. I might add here that
even before his breakdown he was shy and awkward around other people, and
may have shown some signs of emerging mental problems.
Overall this is a very good film. The
story line is interesting, especially since it is based on the life of
a true person.
The following captures are from the additional materials on the DVD.
If you are interested in purchasing movies,
Try CDNOW's movie
section.
This movie contains a couple of rear nude scenes. David is seen nude from the rear both as a teenager and as an adult.
Please submit all questions and comments to johnb53@nwol.net
