ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Orla Zuniga
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Calum Hutton
It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...
WubsTheFadger
Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadgerThe story is told masterfully and fluidly. The amount of stunning moments is astounding along with the powerful and heartfelt ending. The story is powerful and moving in a very inspired way. The "Fall or Break Down" sequence is astounding. Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, and Armin Mueller Stahl all do outstanding jobs. Stahl portrays his character perfectly. Geoffrey Rush plays the part of a mentally broken down man in search for reassurance. Rush performs perfectly.The pacing in the beginning is a little slow but it is intended to build up the characters. The runtime is also a little bit long.Pros: Touching and powerful story, great ending, amazing acting, the break down sequence, and Geoffrey Rush's performanceCons: Some slow pacing and an overlong runtimeOverall Rating: 8.5
Parker Lewis
Much has been said about Geoffrey Rush's incredible performance as David Helfgott, which launched him in the Hollywood stratosphere, but special mention must go to Chris Haywood as Sam, the owner of the Moby's, the restaurant where David really shines big time with his Rachmaninov. Noah Taylor as the adolescent David is a standout, and it's good to see him make it big in Hollywood. I must admit I sometimes get Noah mixed up with Ben Mendelsohn, a fellow Australian actor, and they do share some resemblance.Good to see Lynn Redgrave as David's wife. Lynn was excellent in the TV series House Calls co-starring with Wayne Rogers.
juneebuggy
Agh really!? I was expecting a lot more from this based on Oscar nominations and all the rave reviews it received. Possibly not my kind of movie or maybe I was just missing something but I didn't enjoy this at all and was bored throughout. I actually stopped and checked out IMDb part way in to make sure I was watching the same movie as everyone else. Yup I was.Told in three parts, Geoffrey Rush does do a fine job as Australian piano prodigist David Helfgott but honestly I was more impressed by Armin Mueller Stahl as his abusive, insecure father and Noah Taylor as the adolescent David, who shows the moment of his mental breakdown after preforming Rachmaninoff's technically demanding Piano Concerto No. 3.Now that was a good scene even if it's left a little unclear as to why and what happened directly afterwards. Glad that's over with. 04.05.14"Geoffrey Rush won an Oscar for his performance in this true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, who burst on the competition scene at a very early age, but whose star potential was shattered by a nervous breakdown."
mikefrig
Rush plays the man, and does a brilliant job. Yesterday (August 2013) I saw David in person, playing the piano in a performance in Cairns. To see him in real life, and playing as brilliantly as he does, makes one realise how close the film is to his actual life. If you don't get the opportunity to see David in real life, second best is to watch this film. Of course, there is some editorial licence in the film, and it is nigh on impossible to get into a person's head and way of thinking, but the flavour is there in the film. This film has not only entertainment value, but is a pseudo documentary about the life of a still-brilliant performer. When I saw David play live, I wondered how he could remember all the music without using any sheet music, and it was obvious by his mannerisms that he is still mentally affected - nevertheless, I believe he is one of the world's best pianists.
