A true story about a classical pianist who suffers a mental breakdown may not sound the stuff of fine commercial cinema, but the quality of the music and acting, plus the careful and imaginative direction of Scott Hicks, carry this one far above its seeming limitations. Driven on by an obsessive (and oppressive) father (Armin Mueller-Stahl), the young David Helfgott (Noah Taylor) wins a scholarship to study music in London. But the stresses in him run deep and, despite some brilliant accomplishments, he breaks down during a performance of a Rachmaninov concerto and (now played by Geoffrey Rush) seems doomed to spend his adult life in and out of psychiatric hospitals. But the intervention of a caring woman gives him unexpected hope... and gives us a sweeping, uplifting last reel. Excellent performances, inspiring stuff: Rush won an Oscar.

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