Blinded By The Light- film review

The film, Blinded By The Light,  is a musical with elements of comedy and drama based in 1987. It is directed by Gurinder Chadha with it releasing in 2019 moreover with the main them of the music within the film being songs by the American rockstar Bruce Springsteen. The story centres around a second generation Pakistani-Muslim teenager called Javed in which he learns to express himself fully utilising Bruce's songs despite residing within an Asian household which condemns this genre of music. 

Since young Javed has constituted his passion for writing and poetry in which it began with his childhood friend Matt gifting him a diary. Later on he begins his A levels in which he chose English as his subject. He does this in secret due to it opposing his fathers wishes of him studying economics. Moreover he has to work a job on top of studying which he has to give all the money he has earned to his father, further enforcing Javed's lack of opportunity and expression. Meeting her in his English lessons, Javed meets someone called Eliza with her later becoming his girlfriend. Additionally Javed's teacher is also introduced, providing him with the most support throughout the movie as a whole and later on submitting his work into a competition resulting in him winning. Moreover he also recieves support from his neighbour and younger sister Shazia whose close relationship is a recurring theme throughout the whole movie. Furthermore racism is also a reoccurring topic portrayed throughout the whole movie in which is especially notable in his other sister ,Yasmeen's wedding.

The director Gurinder Chadha is from Indian descent in which this is reflected within the film due to the representation of Asian culture primarily within the UK. Moreover the film also includes British context of 1987 such as the mentioning of Margaret Thatcher as well as songs and bands which were modern/relevant  for that time period.

Firstly the viewing experience is enriched with the use of music. Bruce Springsteen songs are used in which would make older audiences which are familiar with it would have a sense of nostalgia. Moreover costume is also utilised to enrich the viewers experience as it creates a sense of familiarity because of the fashion and style being an importance even in contemporary society as well as traditional clothing being used. Lastly characterisation was also a leading factor in terms of enriching the viewers experience due to some viewers being able to relate to the characters upbringing.

Matt's dad Rob Brydon particularly stood out to me due to his good performance and compelling role  of also being a fan of the same music as Javid in which they have a positive and fun relationship which every encounter has had some degree differentiation.