Reel Review Roundup

Blinded By The Light (M)

Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

Starring: Viveik Kalra, Hayley Atwell, Kulvinder Ghir

Three and a half stars

Review by: Julian Wright

Sidestepping the traditional biopic treatment, Bruce Springsteen gets his big screen homage in the way ABBA did with Mamma Mia! and The Beatles did with Yesterday, but this time, with a story that is inspired by the life of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor.

In a small working class town in England during 1987, gifted poet and lyricist teenager Javed (Viveik Kalra) lives with his traditional Pakistani family, facing racism from people in his neighbourhood and hoping to escape out of the dead end town.

Javed discovers and finds himself drawn to and inspired by the songs of blue collar rock legend Bruce Springsteen, pressing ahead with his own writing with the encouragement from his teacher Ms Clay (Hayley Atwell).

But Javed’s passion and actions clash with his financially struggling parents and their plans for him.

Strip The Boss’ music away and you have a fairly standard narrative – in fact we saw a character deal with an east/west culture clash/ torn between two worlds struggle earlier this month with Bangla.

All the plot points are familiar, but it is the themes are offer something fresh to digest. It is so nice to explore the far reaches and impact that art can have – a lovely sentiment that we can all relate to.

And it is all delivered with such heart and enthusiasm that it is impossible not to like it. And relative newcomer Kalra in the lead role certainly is charming to watch.

Anyone who is a fan of musical theatre or Bruce Springsteen is going to get an extra kick out Blinded By The Light.

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