Review Summary: Doesn't blow the roof off the place, but its' at least a solid hit.
One trend that 2019 is trying to establish for movies is the genre that's inspired by a legendary musician's work. Earlier this year, the Beatles music was given an interesting twist in the sleeper hit dramedy Yesterday. Now, Bruce Springsteen plays the key role in a Pakistan immigrant's journey of self-discovery and finding his way in a troubled society. It's an intriguing blend, and one that works pretty well at times.
The songs do match several situations quite nicely. In the case of Javed, Springsteen's lyrics speak to his willingness to break free from his family's strict traditionalism and pursue a career in writing. The sequence with the musician's hit "Born to Run" is the standout of the whole picture. When Javed and two friends go on a free run through the town of Luton, it's as joyous and infectious a scene as you'd want it to be.
Newcomer Viveik Kalra does a great job portraying Javed's different aspects of his personality. Particularly at the end, you can't help but feel for his journey and the tug-of-war in his heart between his career and his family. Nell Williams is a strong match for him as girlfriend Eliza, with a persona that is equal parts rebellious and gentle. Hayley Atwell plays his teacher, Ms. Clay, in a change of pace for the MCU actress. Atwell plays the teacher and mentor very well, with a more reserved performance.
Despite the enjoyable performances, the film itself isn't always enjoyable. The first third, in particular, can be hard to watch, with some truly horrid acts of mockery the English people showcased on the immigrants. At the same time, the politics of the whole ordeal get a little too much of the spotlight. While it underplays the tension of Javed's family situation, it didn't need to play too big of a role to create the sense of tension. For me, Eliza's political leanings and discussions would have been enough.
Once Bruce's music is introduced into the mix, the film starts to become more and more interesting as it goes. The end of the film is very strong with a touching and emotional speech that sums up Javed's personal crisis nicely. And like most other movies based on a true story, there's a neat segment in the credits about the real Javed and how Springsteen's music is an important part in his life.
The film goes in a few surprising directions. The ending family reconciliation may seem predictable, but its' done so in a way that carries a surprise or two. One of Javed's siblings is startlingly revealed to have a double life of her own. And Javed's eventual journey to America (as seen in the trailers) isn't without a few twists and turns that may make you doubt otherwise. In fact, it contributes to what is otherwise a pretty slow-paced movie at times. It takes a while in a few places for it to get from point A to B in a few plot points.
In the end, Blinded by the Light might not be spectacular entertainment, but it gets the job done. For someone who's largely unfamiliar with Springsteen's music, I found it to be a very entertaining and occasionally moving story. And while it sometimes gets sidetracked by the politics of the story, it otherwise still makes for a solid outing at the movies.
My Score: 7.7/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing....
Rating: PG-13 for "thematic material and language including some ethnic slurs".
Recommended age range: High schoolers and up
Language: Four uses of the s-word join several uses of "bloody" and other British profanities such as "w**ker" and "s*d". One use each of "p*** off", "h***" and "frickin". Racial slurs such as "dirty Paki" and "smelly Paki" are used derogatorily, as is "NF scum".
Violence: There's a somewhat intense fight between National Front party members and Javed's family who are on their way to have the oldest get married. A couple of somewhat bloody injuries result, along with several mild fistfights. Javed physically is threatened by his Dad in one scene. A pig's head is hung on a mosque as a threat. Javed is spit on twice. A lot of tension appears between the Pakistan immigrants and members of the far-right National Front.
Adult Content: Several scenes of kissing, with the implication that the couples in question may have done more off-camera. We see a friend of Javed's female friend answer the door dressed only in a men's shirt with the friend coming to the door buttoning his pants. Eliza and Javed make out on a couch (but are interrupted). Javed's sister later reveals that she goes to a nightclub, where she dresses slightly provocatively. Nude male statues are seen outside the club. Javed is given a necklace that is said to be a "fertility symbol". Someone crudely says Javed "popped his Bruce cherry" and "you never forget your first time".
Drugs/Alcohol: Wine is served, but Javed refuses to drink due to his Islamic beliefs. Javed's dad believes the drug problem is worse in America.
Other: Javed's dad is shown to be very controlling at times, almost too far at times. As I mentioned earlier, several inexcusable acts of racist behavior are shown, especially in the film's first third. Spitting, middle school-aged boys urinating through a mail dropbox in a door and a few other shocking acts showcase the tension on display. Elsewhere, Javed and his sister Shazia lie and deceive their parents multiple times. Eliza shows a rebellious attitude towards her traditionalist parents. One of Javed's friends acts pretty chauvinistic in a handful of situations. Someone is told to "follow the Jews" at school.
