- Rating
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
I always enjoy a movie when the spoken words, or in this case, sung words, are occasionally written on the screen. I believe it is called supertitles. Flashing the words on the screen allows the viewer to read the dialogue and better appreciate the imagery, meaning, or feeling. At the same time, you also can enjoy the characters and the visual movie setting. It’s a great combination.
A little aside – “Paterson,” a small quiet Indie film, used this technique. Supertitles made “Paterson” worth watching. Oh yeah, it also stars Adam Driver.
© 2019 New Line Cinema − All right reserved.
In Blinded by the Light, the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen flash on the screen as the lead protagonist, Javed Khan, is beginning to learn and appreciate the music. The music of Bruce Springsteen is the primary motivator that moves Javed’s life forward.
Moving forward has always been challenging because his traditional Pakistani Dad, Malik Khan (Kulvinder Ghir), rules the house as if he was living in the 15th century. “Give me all the money you earn,” Dad is the only one with an opinion, and “When the time is right, I’ll find you a wife.” It sounds done before, but the setting and the music make it a bit different and make it work, albeit, on a superficial level, they explore nothing.
After the supertitles, Blinded by the Light becomes mostly a rom-com. Boys meets girl; boy gets the girl by spontaneously singing a Springsteen song in the town square that turns into a musical song and dance scene without music. Just go with it, it is fun.
Roops (Aaron Phagura), Nell Williams (Eliza) and Javed (Viveik Kalra) ‘Courtesy of Sundance Institute.’
There are a few more elements that add some additional substance to the rom-com. The movie is set in Luton, England, in 1987 when unemployment is high (there was a stock market crash that year, Black Monday in the US).
The Pakistani families living in town undergo racial slurs, protests and racist actions. But the racism scenes do not feel real; it’s too stylized and does not show real hate and genuine fear. Racism is just an element trying to make the rom-com more significant. Again, not explored.
But, the largest plot-line is Javed’s desire to be a writer since he was 10, and of course, the father doesn’t approve. Although writing is talked about, no impressive writing is ever heard. In one scene, Javed begins to read one of his essays – not impressed – but then stops and talks about his various epiphanies and his family. The scene becomes a predictable goose-bump/teary moment.
© 2019 New Line Cinema − All right reserved.
Viveik Kalra as Javeh and Aaron Phagura as Roops are new to acting. They are both about 21 (Aaron does not disclose his age online). They are so new to acting they don’t even have a Wiki page of their own.
Blinded by the Light is Viveik Kalra’s first film. He made passing grades in the role since he is currently involved with several new projects. He looks like a slightly Middle Eastern Andrew Garfield.
Aaron Phagura has been in some TV, but this is his first film. He has a good friend vibe, fun, and cool. But his time on screen was short.
Nell Williams, as Eliza, is also 21 and has done some child-acting. She also played a young Cersei Lannister in one episode of Game of Thrones (I don’t remember her but click the link to see her).
Overall, the three actors make an excellent ensemble showing appreciation for Springsteen and being friends. However, they all play 16-year old teens in this film, very far from reality. They don’t look 16 and they don’t act 16.
© 2019 New Line Cinema − All right reserved.
Blinded by the Light was nominated for Best Film and Best Actor (for Viveik Kalra) at the 2019 SIFF Awards at the Seattle International Film Festival. This SIFF award is about the only nomination it received. If there was a category for joyous, heartwarming, delightfully movies, Blinded by the Light would have won more.
Blinded by the Light with the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen is a fun movie – not too deep – just enjoy and have fun.
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