Shine

Shine highlights three major human conditions throughout the movie, the need for companionship, the unbroken human spirits and human's tendency to reflect on the past. From these human conditions, scenes in Shine and use of camera techniques we learn how to approach situations and downhills in life and to rediscover and give purpose to life rather than give up and accept defeat.

David's isolation and loneliness started from when he was a child, always pushed into the limelight but gaining no real support nor affection from either parents. The loneliness is by use of camera angles, long shots of David with no one around, high angle shots - minimalising David so that he appears to be small and vulnerable. The use of shadows, silhouettes and darkness are also used to create an isolated, cold family environment. There are small gestures throughout the movie that create the lonely feeling such as rain, the sombre music in background and sometimes foreground and panoramic views of David gazing out. Perhaps the most distinct scene, where we truly acknowledge David's desperation to be accepted and welcomed into society was the one of him sitting on a public bench watching a couple jog past. The long shot of the couple and David trailing behind shows that everyone has a companion but he has no one. The scene is accompanied by rain and dramatic music, furthermore creating an isolated environment. After David's breakdown, the feeling of loneliness was greater and often scenes of David on the outside, gazing into some room where people are happily conversing. These scenes are usually followed by close up of David's face, showing grief and determination to be part of that community. David's rejection and lack of companions carry on with him to the boarding house, where the manager locks piano and doesn't allow him to play, however as he finds companionship within Sylvia and Gillian, they help him to become a happier, livelier person. These scenes are proof that the human condition, the need for companionship is an essential part of each of us. Without which, we live a bland, meaningless life.

The unbroken human spirit could not be more emphasised in this movie. The central scene illustrating this was the scene of David leaving his home. His meaning of life had become to be a successful pianist and not even his dominating, abusive father could stop him. The threats of Peter to excommunicate his son was not enough to keep David back and finally we see the first breakthrough made by David, defying his father's wishes and the scene of birds flocking out of a building demonstrates the "breakthrough". Human spirit was the major component motivating David to move to a foreign country and study there, though he does pay dearly through lack of care in hygiene, social skills, mentality and ability to love anything other than his piano. Instead he focuses all his attention on his "meaning of life", perfecting his playing and more precisely mastering Rachmaninoff's 3rd concerto. Although he has played Rachmaninoff many times and always given him an disappointing result, his belief in himself and his willingness to work day and night, his human spirit could not be suppressed nor dampened. On the contrary, it made him more determined to succeed, here we have inspirational and uplifting music. Towards the end of the movie, we see David with a serious mental illness and is not allowed to play the piano by doctors orders. His purpose in life had been shattered yet slowly, he defies all odds and begins to play the piano again. David refuses to accept his fate and we see him playing in a concert at a much older age, proving not only