“Blinded by the Light” (PG-13)
In a year blessed by the movies about Queen, Elton John and The Beatles, it’s turn for The Boss’ music to get its due on the big screen with “Blinded by the Light.” Far from a biopic like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or musical fantasy like “Rocketman,” the film is more like “Yesterday,” except it’s based on the remarkable true story of how the tunes of Bruce Springsteen inspired a Pakistani teen in the late 1980s to transcend the hatred around him and defying the conventions of his culture, all while pursuing his dream of being a writer.
“Blinded by the Light” is based on the formative teen years of Sarfraz Manzoor, who’s presented in the film as Javed (Viveik Kalra), who is fighting xenophobia as a Pakistani immigrant in Luten, Bedfordshire, in the southeast of England amidst his own identity crisis. Not only does struggle the taunts of Brits who hate him simply because of his lineage, he’s also rejecting his preordained path of following in the cultural footsteps of his hardworking father Malik (Kulvinder Ghir), and mother, Noor (Meer Ganatra).
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Blinded by the Light” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Instead, Javek wants to go his own way, and he’s not quite sure where that is until he finds his salvation and identifies with the lyrics by a troubadour born in the U.S.A. It happens like a flash of lighting, when Javed’s life instantly transforms when his schoolmate, Roops (Aaron Phagura) borrows him two Springsteen cassette tapes (it is the ‘80s, after all). Captivated by all things Springsteen (he even copies the rocker’s blue collar look), Javed most importantly realizes the parallels between his life and The Boss’ stories. In turn, the power of Springsteen’s music enables Javek to put his feelings down on paper, which catches the attention of his caring English teacher (the always great Hayley Atwell), who in turn urges him to write more.
While “Blinded by the Light” isn’t a note-for-note account of Manzoor’s life story, the heart and passion that drove him to become a successful journalist for such publications as the UK’s Guardian and a documentarian for the BBC is definitely present in the movie.
Directed by “Bend it Like Beckham” filmmaker Gurinder Chada, “Blinded by the Light” presents Springsteen’s music in a way you have never experienced it before, and to top it off, it blends in moments of light humor, serious heartbreak and a little romance that creates a unique and wonderfully entertaining story.
Anchored by passionate performances by Kalra, Ghir, Ganatra, Phagura and Nell Williams, who plays Javed’s first love, “Blinded by the Light” is easily one of the best films of the year, and it’s capped off by an ending that will make Springsteen fans love The Boss forever. The movie will no doubt make you tap your toes to the soundtrack, but laugh, cry and perhaps sob.
Perhaps the greatest revelation of “Blinded by the Light” is that you don’t have to necessarily know the music of Springsteen to be engaged by the film. Diehard fans will no doubt find deeper meaning in the rock icon’s music, while casual fans will look at the New Jersey native in a completely different way. As for those few who are completely unaware of The Boss, get ready to experience something akin to what Manzoor’s character Javed, did, when his buddy Roops borrowed him the cassettes of “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Darkness on the Edge of Town.”
It’s truly wonderful how Javed’s happens upon “The Boss’ music in the first place, as the writer’s serendipitous path begins with a mild collision between the conflicted teen and Roops in a high school hallway. Picking up his friend’s cassette off the floor, Javed asks Roops, “Who is The Boss?” to which Roops responded, “He’s The Boss of us all.”
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Blinded by the Light” with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO-AM. Segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Of course, that’s a pretty bold claim to make, whether it refers to the music of the 1980s or the music of today, but this much is certain: At least for the 1 hour and 57 minutes Chada raises the curtain in the darkness to reveal “Blinded by the Light,” the music of Bruce Springsteen rules.
Prepare to be inspired and look at life in a whole new light, and not in a blinding sort of way. Springsteen’s message has never been so clear.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,” WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
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