Blinded by the Light (2019): Review

Baby we were born to run

‘Blinded by the Light’ Alternative Poster

The Power of music...

’Blinded by the Light’ is the surreal hybrid-musical based on the true story of Sarfraz Manzoor, extrapolating his experiences as a fan of the “Boss” Bruce Springsteen to the setting of 1980s Luton where our lead Javed Khan (Viveik Kalra) is coming of age and finds his self after his ears are opened to this world of music via best friend Roops (Aaron Phagura). After “popping his Bruce Cherry” all seems to fall into place for our teenage lead as dreams come true.

Watched on Christmas Day via DVD I was surprisingly marvelled by what turned out to be an exceptional film. Gurinder Chadha much like in ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ (2002) adds a personal touch it shows an artful side in this outing too, experimenting with really surreal music elements which were novel to see.

Politically at a boiling point with Britain under rule of their worst Prime Minister [till now] in Thatcher, who all but endorsed the National Front and with employment on the decline it somehow feels eerily modern despite its period setting of the 80s but moreover appeared heartfelt and relatable regardless of racial division or any other factor. Which is ultimately the whole theme, as said at the top of the article, it’s all about the power of music whatever you choose to be your poison and though it’s cliched and a bit of a grating statement I genuinely felt myself being swept away for the wholesome journey.

On a personal note I’d heard all these songs prior thanks to my Dad but finally years after the break up of my original family unit I felt able to listen to and appreciate these songs in a bittersweet way as well as in a similar fashion to the leading characters, wanting to break free of their slightly underwhelming hometown and having personal drives it was a joy to see unfold.

In a filmic sense as mentioned earlier it’s a musical in a hybrid sense only and boy were those scenes joyous! Grand & elaborate, driven by the song, relatable and really uplifting it captured that essence of a musical which is really the ultimate form of escapism. Having said that it also remarkably manages to tackle racism and blend it’s tone as and when needed Chadha put on a total masterclass as far as form goes it was mindblowing.

Seen perhaps at the perfect time for me personally being at the midpoint of my first year of uni, With the characters of similar age by the finale it captured that sense of fear as to change and the future but also a little of the same angst which comes with verging on and reaching manhood. Honestly so relatable and heartfelt I couldn’t quite believe the true story which inspired this or the production story either, regardless this was something special which I can’t speak highly enough of.

Information:

Director: Gurinder Chadha

Year: 2019

Runtime: 1 Hour 58

Now available on all formats