Movie Review: Blinded by the Light (2019)

Blinded by the Light (2019) co-written and directed by Gurinder Chadha

In 1987, Pakistani teenager Javed (Viveik Kalra) dreams of leaving his small English town of Luton. His domineering old-world father (Kulvinder Ghir) keeps a tight leash on his family. Javed can't go to parties at his neighbor's house across the street. He can't date. He can't keep any money he earns, it goes to the family fund. Javed loves writing and hanging out with the neighbor. They ride to the outskirts of town on the hill overlooking the M1, which goes to London and the North. His life changes when he starts a new school and runs into a Sikh who loves Bruce Springsteen. Javed isn't really sure but he takes two tapes. Listening to the Boss touches and rejuvenates Javed. He lives by the Springsteen philosophy, starts dressing like him, and grows as a writer. His English Lit teacher (Hayley Atwell) encourages his writing. He finds a girlfriend and the courage to try for more than just A-levels that will get him into Manchester University (200 miles from Luton!). All the while he has to deal with anti-Pakistani racism in their small town.

The movie is extremely charming. In addition to the typical boy-gets-girl-and-follows-his-dream-and-gets-out-of-town-while-coming-to-terms-with-his-family routine, the movie gets deeper. None of the characters are two-dimensional plot devices (except maybe the English Lit teacher). The dad really does care for his family and goes through a lot of hardship during the film, making the inevitable reconciliation with his son all the better. The girlfriend isn't just a passive motivator for Javed; her actions brings out the themes of living through a challenging family situation and helping others. The performances are all good. Springsteen's songs are all over the soundtrack and are used in effective ways. The movie flirts with having musical numbers but never wholly commits to them (possibly the movies only flaw?). Overall, it is a very enjoyable film.

Recommended.