Review by RCR entertainment reporter, Eric Szymanski, follow him on Twitter at @ecmanski

We all have moments in life where we discover something or someone who will shape us. It could be an artist, a movie, a teacher. Blinded by the Light tells the story of Javed, a teenager who in Margaret Thatcher’s 1987 Britain is searching for his voice and looking for a way out. He just needs an inspiration. Well that inspiration comes in the form of a cassette lent to him from his denim jacket wearing best friend Roops. After pressing play on his Walkman and hearing the lyrics of the 1984 classic Dancing in the Dark, Javed’s world is changed forever.

The film, helmed by 2002’s Bend it Like Beckham director, Girinder Chadha, is really about family, loyalty, love and growth. It’s just that this tale has the benefit of having the inspirational songs and poetic lyrics of Bruce Springsteen as a backdrop. The songs themselves feel like an important character that enhance the story and drive the emotions of our lead character. He deals with many of the struggles all of us dealt with in our youth. Fitting in, finding your truth and getting the courage to ask out your classroom crush. Accompany that with his family and the struggles they face. His father’s employment struggles only amp up the pressure. He views the dreams of his son as foolish and does not appreciate the words and songs of Javed’s hero only fueling what he sees as unattainable in their world. But when the desire to break out burns so hot, there’s really nothing he can do to stop it.

Being a Springsteen super fan myself, there was no question I was going to love the soundtrack. What took this movie up a notch was the feel good vibe it brought. It’s a story pretty much everyone can relate to. As hard as it may seem, we all have to make choices. Some don’t and just think what if. Others act on their passion and go after the life they truly want. Many of Springsteen’s songs tell these stories. Dead end job coupled with a town that’s a death trap. You gotta get out while you’re young. That pretty much sums up the theme in Blinded by the Light. Springsteen fans are gonna love it but actually non fans will find things they can relate to as well. Which is why I would recommend this one to all ages who enjoy a feel good uplifting tale. I’m a sucker for true stories like this that make their way onto the big screen and especially love when actual photos and real-life footage is shown of the characters we just watched. It leaves me feeling a sense of joy and happiness as I make my way out of the theater. Blinded by the Light did just that.

4.7/5 ⭐️

“Blinded by the Light” will be in theaters on August 16, 2019

About Blinded by the Light
From writer/director/producer Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) comes the inspirational drama “Blinded by the Light,” set to the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen’s timeless songs.

“Blinded by the Light” tells the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra) a British teen of Pakistani descent, growing up in the town of Luton, England, in 1987. Amidst the racial and economic turmoil of the times, he writes poetry as a means to escape the intolerance of his hometown and the inflexibility of his traditional father. But when a classmate introduces him to the music of “the Boss,” Javed sees parallels to his working-class life in Springsteen’s powerful lyrics. As Javed discovers a cathartic outlet for his own pent-up dreams, he also begins to find the courage to express himself in his own unique voice.

Based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s acclaimed memoir Greetings from Bury Park, “Blinded by the Light” is a joyful story of courage, love, hope, family and the unique ability of music to lift the human spirit.

Chadha directed and produced the film, which was written by Manzoor, Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges. The story is underscored by the music and poetic lyrics of Springsteen, who gave Chadha his blessing from the film’s inception.

“Blinded by the Light” stars Viveik Kalra, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir, Nell Williams, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Aaron Phagura. The film was directed by Gurinder Chadha from a screenplay by Sarfraz Manzoor, Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges. Jane Barclay, Chadha, and Jamal Daniel produced the film. Paul Mayeda Berges, Hannah Leader, Tory Metzger, Tracy Nurse, Stephen Spence, Peter Touche, and Renee Witt served as executive producers.

Chadha’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Ben Smithard, production designer Nick Ellis, editor Justin Krish, and costume designer Annie Hardinge. The original score music is by A.R. Rahman.

Connect on Social
Facebook.com/BlindedByTheLightMovie
Instagram.com/BlindedByTheLightMovie
Twitter.com/BBTLMovie

Inspired by the legendary music of #BruceSpringsteen, comes #BlindedByTheLightMovie – in theaters August 16.