It’s 1987 in Luton and Britain is in turmoil in Thatcher’s England. Music fanatic Javed is aspiring to be a poet/writer and trying to help out his best mate, Matt’s synth band by writing lyrics to their tunes. They want love songs but he keeps giving them political words.
Javed’s father Malik, who had moved to Luton from Pakistan to give his family a better life is laid off from the factory and expects the whole family to help out with money by taking any job they can. Javed, feeling helpless, is given two cassettes of Bruce Springsteen’s albums Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born in the USA, to listen to and his life changes.
Blinded by the Light is a coming of age movie about Javed, who likes a certain girl but his father tells him he will find him a wife when the time comes. According to his father, he should study hard and become a lawyer, but really wants to be a journalist.
The movie is loosely based on British Journalist and life-long Bruce Springsteen fan Sarfraz Manzoor, who also co-wrote the script. Javed is played by newcomer Viveik Kalra, who after this role has a fine career ahead of him in film.
The movie is predictable but that doesn’t take the joy out of the film. This is a far better movie than the recent Yesterday (which also was an enjoyable film). There are unpleasant scenes in the movie involving skinheads and also children urinating through a Pakistani house letter box, but this is the 80’s and it is sad to watch the families just take these racial actions as everyday occurrences and expectations.
The music belongs to Springsteen; however, we do get a smattering of 80’s hits by A-Ha, Pet Shop Boys amongst other songs from the era. But it is Springsteen that drives Javed towards his career and the girl he likes, discovering love along the way and finally learning how to write THE love song for Matt’s band.
Blinded by the Light is an inspiring movie with outstanding performances by all in the film. Bruce’s music is a bonus but you don’t have to be a Bruce fan to enjoy this. The biggest regret is the time it has taken to release this in Australia. It has been out overseas since August.
Don’t miss it.
Screening from Thursday 24th October – Wallis Cinema’s North Adelaide, Mitcham, Mt Barker & Gepps Cross Drive In as well as Palace Nova East End and Palace Prospect.
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