Blindsided by the Boss

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This article was published 17/08/2019 (2257 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In case you were wondering, this is not a jukebox musical. This is also not a movie about Bruce Springsteen, although it does feature a killer soundtrack of the Boss’s greatest hits.

It is, however, a film about the motivating, healing and inspiring power of music. And it’s very, very fun, even if you’re not a Springsteen fan. But be warned: by the end of the film, you probably will be.

Blinded by the Light is the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra), a Pakistani-British teenager and aspiring writer growing up in Luton, England, in 1987.

Margaret Thatcher is prime minister, everyone’s hair is enormous, racial tensions are running high and Javed is trapped between a world pushing forward in turmoil and a family staunchly rooted in traditions of the past.

One day at school, Javed meets a new friend named Roops (Aaron Phagura). Roops gives Javed some Springsteen tapes to listen to. “You never forget your first time,” he says.

That evening, after a fight with his father, Malik (Kulvinder Ghir), Javed hears the song Dancing in the Dark for the very first time.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Supported by a kindly teacher (Hayley Atwell), his best friend Matt (Dean-Charles Chapman), his best friend Matt’s nameless dad (Rob Brydon), his crush (Nell Williams) and — of course — the music of his hero, Javed embarks on a journey to find his place in the future while learning to honour his past.

Blinded by the Light is autobiographical and based on the life of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Gurinder Chadra and Paul Mayeda Berges. At last count, Manzoor has been to more than 150 Springsteen concerts.

The plot of the film isn’t particularly complex on the surface, although the dynamics that run underneath are. It’s hugely reminiscent of 2002’s Bend in like Beckham, which was also directed by Chadra. Almost two decades onward, Chadra has only gotten better and sharper as a director. She recognizes how the world has changed and is quick to dive deeper into the themes commonly explored in her films.

Blinded by the Light is more culturally resonant and more politically active than Bend it like Beckham. The depictions of racially motivated violence are more honest and more affecting, which makes the stakes feel much higher. The lows are lower — certain scenes may be difficult to watch, especially for people who continue to be victims of racialized violence — but the highs are also higher.

How do we honour where we come from but also follow our dreams? How do our cultural traditions fit into a contemporary world? Why can’t parents ever understand their children? What exactly is the purpose of shoulder pads? In a world of rapidly increasing cultural globalization, the questions Blinded by the Light poses are timely and relevant.

The acting in the film is universally strong, but it’s newcomer Kalra who effortlessly makes it all spark. It’s a remarkable feat, considering it’s his first leading role and first film.

I guess Roops is right… you never forget your first time, whether it’s listening to a brilliant song or seeing a brilliant actor debut on screen. Kalra is truly unforgettable.

Blinded by the Light reminds us that music is memory and history. It can heal and it can transform. It’s powerful beyond measure. Through Springsteen’s music, Javed discovers his own voice. After the film, I went home and listened to the music that helped me find mine.

This isn’t just a feel-good movie: it’s a feel-great movie.

frances.koncan@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @franceskoncan