Blinded by the Light

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 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 just saw this in a Cineworld Unlimited screening and, other than having seen the trailer and thought it looked ok, knew very little of Blinded By The Light. Immediately a few people got up and walked out. Ten minutes in a couple more joined them. Others waited an hour, then popped off. Some of these people - though not necessarily in the same screening as me - have added their 1-star review to IMDb. These people should have their Unlimited cards confiscated and be barred from cinemas and writing reviews permanently. Sure, it's not a perfect film - Springsteen is shoehorned in a cringeworthy number of times and the narrative has a paint-by-numbers feel to it - but it's a cheerful film with a good message: do what makes you happy and don't be a douche. Those giving the 1-star reviews really did miss the second part of the message. Look, it's an ok film. If you like Bend It Like Beckham, you'll probably enjoy this. Of you're a massive 'The Boss' fan, you'll probably enjoy this. Don't trust the 1-star reviews; it's never a 1-star film. I'd probably really rate this 5 stars, but I'm adding one just to counter a couple of those walk-outs who feel justified in tarring a film with their own ineptitude.

This story is inspired by writer Sarfraz Manzoor's autobiography.

Without really giving anything away, t's basically a story about the struggles of young college writer in a small English town. In the midst of his family's downward financial spiral ... and race relation issues of the time, he finds unexpected inspiration in the music and words of Bruce Springsteen.

It's mostly charming and has a good, heart-felt message. I like Springsteen's music but felt that the movie over-used it with all the Bolllywood-ish singing and dancing.

That said, it's amazing this movie even got made. Springsteen has never given permission for his music to be used in movies ... but he read Manzoor's book (before he was even approached) and give his approval.

There are some really enjoyable moments ... and there are times when the movie seemed to drag a bit. All in all - I liked it!

Blinded by the Light is just brilliant! It's so heartwarming, heartbreaking and funny all at the same time! I laughed, cried and really tried hard to not sing along! Sure, it's corny in parts but it adds to the magic of it. It's never gonna win an Oscar, but it's a deffo feel-good movie that will literally have you smiling from ear to ear!