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IMDbPro

Blinded by the Light

  • 20192019
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
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.
Play trailer2:24
6 Videos
51 Photos
ComedyDramaMusic
In England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.In England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.In England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
    • Gurinder Chadha
  • Writers
    • Sarfraz Manzoor(screenplay by)
    • Gurinder Chadha(screenplay by)
    • Paul Mayeda Berges(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Billy Barratt
    • Ronak Singh Chadha Berges
    • Viveik Kalra
    • Gurinder Chadha
  • Writers
    • Sarfraz Manzoor(screenplay by)
    • Gurinder Chadha(screenplay by)
    • Paul Mayeda Berges(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Billy Barratt
    • Ronak Singh Chadha Berges
    • Viveik Kalra
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 307User reviews
    • 216Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:24
    Watch Official Trailer
    Blinded by the Light
    Trailer 2:23
    Watch Blinded by the Light
    Weekend Box Office: August 16 to 18
    Clip 0:57
    Watch Weekend Box Office: August 16 to 18
    IMDbrief: 3 Takeaways from Sundance 2019
    Clip 3:56
    Watch IMDbrief: 3 Takeaways from Sundance 2019
    Kevin Smith's 5 Films to Watch at Sundance 2019
    Clip 3:30
    Watch Kevin Smith's 5 Films to Watch at Sundance 2019
    'Blinded by the Light' Star Viveik Kalra Wants to Dance With Helen Mirren
    Full Episode 3:41
    Watch 'Blinded by the Light' Star Viveik Kalra Wants to Dance With Helen Mirren

    Photos51

    Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura, and Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura, and Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Gurinder Chadha and Viveik Kalra at an event for Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Archie Panjabi at an event for Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Blinded by the Light (2019)
    Blinded by the Light (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billy Barratt
    Billy Barratt
    • Matt (10)
    Ronak Singh Chadha Berges
    • Javed (10)
    • (as Ronak Chadha Berges)
    Viveik Kalra
    Viveik Kalra
    • Javed
    Lee Barnett
    • Foreman
    Dean-Charles Chapman
    Dean-Charles Chapman
    • Matt
    Kit Reeve
    Kit Reeve
    • Emma
    David Hayman
    David Hayman
    • Mr Evans
    Kulvinder Ghir
    Kulvinder Ghir
    • Malik (Father)
    Nikita Mehta
    Nikita Mehta
    • Shazia (Sister)
    Rob Brydon
    Rob Brydon
    • Matt's Dad
    Meera Ganatra
    Meera Ganatra
    • Noor (Mother)
    Lorraine Ashbourne
    Lorraine Ashbourne
    • Kathy
    Tara Divina
    Tara Divina
    • Yasmeen (Cousin)
    Jeff Mirza
    Jeff Mirza
    • Mr Shah
    Frankie Fox
    Frankie Fox
    • Colin Hand
    Nell Williams
    Nell Williams
    • Eliza
    Aaron Phagura
    Aaron Phagura
    • Roops
    Hayley Atwell
    Hayley Atwell
    • Ms Clay
      • Gurinder Chadha
    • Writers
      • Sarfraz Manzoor(screenplay by) (based on the book "Greetings from Bury Park - Race. Religion. Rock 'N' Roll." by)
      • Gurinder Chadha(screenplay by)
      • Paul Mayeda Berges(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie is inspired by the life of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor and his love of the works of Bruce Springsteen. It is based on Manzoor's memoir "Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion and Rock N' Roll".
    • Goofs
      Javed listens to Bruce Springsteen's studio version of Patti Smith's "Because the Night". This particular version was not released commercially until a 2010 compilation.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Evans: 48 years ago I marched into war with my friends to fight men in swastikas. Today I see swastikas on young men on the streets of Luton. That was a very brave poem, young man. You must write more and get your message out. N.F. scum indeed!

    • Connections
      Featured in Good Morning Britain: Episode dated 30 July 2019 (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      It's a Sin
      Written by Chris Lowe (as Christopher Lowe) and Neil Tennant

      Performed by Pet Shop Boys

      Published by Cage Music Ltd.

      Administered by Kobalt Music Publishing Limited

      Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd.

    User reviews307

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    They bring you up to do like your daddy done
    Based on the semi autobiographical by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor. Blinded by the Light is about Javed (Viveik Kalra) a teenager who has started college in 1987 in the town of Luton which is facing industrial decline and the rise in racism.

    Javed grew up in a traditional Pakistani family, his dad works in a car factory and is soon to be made redundant. His dad would like Javed to have a professional job where he can earn good money, Javed wants to write instead but he thinks no one would be interested. When a college friend introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, Javed finds the Boss's music talks to him directly and it enables Javed to find his own voice.

    My parents used to talk about living in Luton. They must have hated it as they only stayed there for a few months and soon returned up north. Life in Luton during Mrs Thatcher's 1980s was not too different from many other towns. No jobs, no money and fascists wanting to blame immigrants. It is notable that this film is set in 1987 but the yuppies have yet to get to places like Luton. They only seemed to have existed in London at that time.

    Blinded by the Light is a feel good movie with undercurrents of the political and economics circumstances of the 1980s. It is a fertile ground to incorporate Bruce Springsteen songs, particularly from albums such as The River and Darkness in the Edge of Town. These albums had songs which resonated with blue collar workers in the USA that were facing job insecurity and young people heading towards a life of uncertainty.

    The film also shows that Springsteen's songs cuts across class, nationality, race and religion. It is this which elevates the movie. Javed, a young lad of Pakistani origin and his friend Roops, a sikh are inspired by the Boss's music and find meaning in their lives.

    What lets the movie down is the well worn cliche of the Asian son and father having differences when it comes to growing up.

    The film contains twelve Springsteen songs including an unreleased song that he originally wrote for the first Harry Potter film but was unused. Given that the Boss can be notorious in allowing clearance for his music to be used in movies, in effect this film had his blessing and I was surprised he did not end up with a Producer credit.
    helpful•6
    2
    • Prismark10
    • Sep 10, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 16, 2019 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site
      • English
      • Urdu
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • The Mall Luton, Mall Management, 37 The Mall, Bedfordshire, Luton LU1 2LJ, United Kingdom
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Levantine Films
      • Ingenious Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 58 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Atmos

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