Blinded by the Light

I saw this at a secret screening and it's not my normal kind of film, but it is a interesting message about culture and how the ideals we are exposed to can shape us.

Sticking with it to the end brings it full circle, and that seems to be the point of the story.

I'm not the biggest fan of Bruce Springsteen. Sometimes saying that out loud makes me feel un-American, but it's true, so the film does not hit me as hard because I'm not into the music, but i thought the message was loud,clear and absolutely amazing. It's a beautiful story about how the music of Springsteen can inspire you to come out of your shell and it was done well. I like it.

I absolutely love the music of Bruce Springsteen. When I got into his music a few years back, I instantly became enamored with his albums namely Darkness on the Edge of Town. When I saw the trailer for this, I was instantly hyped. This looked a bit like Danny Boyle's Yesterday. A film about a talented brown guy who uses a classic rock act to better his life and land a beautiful girl. I was always going to like this but I felt an identification with the character and the music as an inspiration and the idea of chasing what you believe in.

The film is about a young Pakistani high school kid who has to deal with racism and the pressures of his traditional family, in 1980's Luton, England. A friend of his introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, and he quickly becomes influenced in all facets by the music of the Boss. Relating to the words of Springsteen, he uses this as fuel to get the girl he likes, chase his dreams of becoming a writer, and butting heads with his family namely his strict and overbearing traditional father.

Great acting all around, with a very impressive debut by Viveik Kalra. Nell Williams is beyond gorgeous. The music and use of songs in this music is fantastic. Couldn't help but sing along. Its true what they say, Bruce made songs that related to the working class and the struggles that people faced at work and in life. With all its profound lyrics as a backdrop, the film manages to touch on important issues of xenophobia (which are still present today) and the struggles that can come with familial expectations not lining up with ones own goals.

As a brown male myself who works on developing his skills and chasing a better life, I identified with a lot of this film. Heck, I even travel to Luton and Bury Park every year on vacation. So, I really felt this film. I'm all for breaking out and chasing happiness and bettering yourself in life. Therefore, I found this to be a real and identifiable film. I think if you like the work of Springsteen and the influence he has as an artist, then this will resonate very well for you. I recommend a watch for everyone though.

8/10

Blinded By The Light

I enjoyed this movie very much once I got beyond being dragged back to the 80's with the dodgy hair and flares.

The movie explored many themes and these provided the backdrop for a rites of passage of a young Pakistani man growing up in Luton. He needed to make sense of the world and this was through the cipher of Bruce Springsteen's lyrics and music.

What was good,

1, whilst dealing with racism it was presented as a feature of the time, it did not take over the movie.

2, the story was more important than realism and we had moments when the movie took off with musical numbers.

3, the whole cast did a brilliant job particularly the mum and the dad,

4, Javed play by Viveik Kalra was a masterclass in micro-emotions, the whole movie rested on this young man and he delivered the goods. Skills way beyond his years.

5, the music and graphic were great I just wish I was more familiar with the Boss's music but we were listening to Kate Bush and Duran Duran.

6, Margaret Thatcher brought a decade of pain to Britain as she transformed a bankrupt state to a market economy. It was necessary but had terrible effects on people's lives and this was shown effectively here.

This was a very niche movie, very claustrophobic and there was very little action but I enjoyed it immensely.

I have to confess I am a big Springsteen fan and I really enjoyed the soundtrack to this film but unlike other recent movies, the soundtrack is just that, rather than being the core of the film.

This is a great little British movie based on a true story about a British boy with Pakistani parents trying to overcome racism and strict parentage in Luton in the 80s. It is very real but also very funny.

I found it a bit of a slow burner but it really took off and a film I will be watching again.

And of course, everything is a better with Springsteen!