Shine (film) "universal acclaim". "Shine" grossed $35,892,330 in the United States and Canada. The film also grossed $10,187,418 at the box office in Australia. Shine (film) Shine is a 1996 Australian biographical drama film based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions. It stars Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Redgrave, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, Googie Withers, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd, Nicholas Bell, Chris Haywood and Alex Rafalowicz. The screenplay was written by Jan Sardi, and directed by Scott Hicks. The film made its US premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. In 1997,
Geoffrey Rush testify in court for the "Telegraph", leading their original truth defense to be reinstated. Rush and his lawyers did not object, as they wanted to get the lawsuit resolved "as quickly as possible". The court also promptly denied the "Telegraph’s" bid to bring a fellow cast member, Colin Moody, as a witness, ruling that it would "disadvantage" Rush and was submitted too late. During the opening week of the trial, director Neil Armfield spoke in support of Rush. When testifying over a text sent by Rush to Norvill about him "thinking of you more than is socially appropriate", Rush said