With many recent and upcoming movies having strong music influences, Blinded By The Light is one of them. Blinded By The Light is about a Pakistani teenager named Javed, played by Viveik Kalra, who experiences racial and economic turmoil in working-class England in 1987. He soon gathers the courage to find his own voice and follow his dreams after discovering the inspirational music of Bruce Springsteen.
This movie was inspired by the life of Sarfraz Manzoor and his love of songs by the legendary rock star and thus creates an excellent coming-of-age story of a Pakistani-British Muslim teenager who has a strong connection to the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen’s songs. In an interview, Manzoor said that this film was like a love letter to Bruce Springsteen. Manzoor actually co-wrote the script for this film, alongside with Paul Mayeda Berges and the director of the film who is Gurinder Chadha! If you think Gurinder Chadha sounds familiar, well that is because Chadha was known for directing the well known romantic comedy movie Bend It Like Beckham, which released in 2002.
The movie had great acting and it was impressive, especially for Viveik Kalra as it was his first acting debut as a lead. The character he played made it so believable, but also relatable. This character has proper ethnic representation during 1987 thus making it realistic and enjoyable to watch.
This movie may have music influences, but it was more of a story than a musical type of movie. The movie touched on important issues about a story of an immigrant and xenophobia (which is still relevant today). It portrays the immigrant experience during that particular tumultuous political era including challenges often faced by immigrants such as the loss of jobs and the rise of white nationalist factions are effectively woven into the film. Blinded by the Light showed the struggles that come with familial expectations not lining up with one’s own goal. Immigrant parents don’t have it easy, they have to face struggles and make sacrifices. This movie touches on living a life that includes loss, meaning, values/beliefs, and love. This is what may hit home for many people who have shared the same experience as the characters in the movie. It was interesting to see, but at the same time was heartwarming as you could emotionally relate to it.
Blinded By The Light was intelligent and very moving, especially with the cross cultural differences. This movie also had many great concepts included such as adolescence, identity, and isolation that took place in the 1980s. With the Sony walkmans and tape cassettes, this movie also felt nostalgic to the people who grew up in the 80s. At the same time, this movie had some humour, which would make you laugh!
This movie really could open people’s minds with the obvious message and concepts in this movie. It is because there was a time in the 80s, where other people with different backgrounds who lived in a predominantly white surroundings. There was definitely a time where it was okay to throw slurs and sodas, but also spit anywhere at anytime. This is only a minor criticism, but few parts in the movie, it’s somewhat difficult to understand what the characters were saying as you can’t hear the dialogue properly.
Lastly, as for the music part of this movie, this was well incorporated. The songs used in this film were fantastic and it suited well with the situations of each scene. At the same time, you were enjoying and appreciating the songs of Bruce Springsteen.
Despite this not so high budget film, Blinded By The Light made the most out of it! This movie will be enjoyable for teenagers and adults that they could connect with the story and/or characters. This movie was acted, written, directed, and edited excellently. It is definitely something you don’t want to miss! If you enjoy story driven films that also includes a music influence, you should go check out Blinded By The Light!
