Blinded by the Light (2019)

In 1987 during the austere days of Thatcher's Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.

Director:

Gurinder Chadha

Writers:

Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha

Stars:

Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Viveik Kalra	...	Javed
Kulvinder Ghir	...	Malik
Meera Ganatra	...	Noor
Aaron Phagura	...	Roops
Dean-Charles Chapman	...	Matt
Nikita Mehta	...	Shazia
Nell Williams	...	Eliza
Tara Divina	...	Yasmeen
Rob Brydon	...	Matt's Dad
Frankie Fox	...	Colin Hand
Hayley Atwell	...	Ms Clay
Sally Phillips	...	Mrs. Anderson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sofia Abbasi	...	1980's Local Resident
Asheq Akhtar	...	Butcher
Vincent Andriano	...	Billy

Storyline

In 1987 during the austere days of Thatcher's Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.

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Plot Keywords:

title based on song | f rated | luton bedfordshire | year 1987 | teenager | 

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and language including some ethnic slurs.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blinded by the Light

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bend It Films, Ingenious Media, Levantine Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in many locations in and around Luton in the Home Counties UK

User Reviews

The smile on your face will linger for days

I was fortunate to see "Blinded by Light" at the Montclair Film Festival last night. The director was present and said (and sang) and few words prior to the film and then did a Q&A after the film.

Using a rating system of 1-10, I give it a "100!!!"

I cried and laughed at Bruce on Broadway but I think I actually cried more and laughed more watching this film.

I don't want to spoil the film for anyone but will point out a few things that really helped the film.

-Characters not only play Bruce songs on Cassette and Turntable but they also on occasion quote lyrics as part of the film's dialogue.

-19 Bruce songs are used in the film

-Some of them are live versions

-We see on the lead character's TV Bruce singing the River for the 1st time (which was at the MUSE concert in 1979 at MSG)

-Bruce's lyrics are transposed on the walls and buildings around the character as they are being played so there is no doubt how meaningful the words were to the lead character

-There is a special surprise at the end of the credits... a Bruce song that was put on the shelf years ago... I believe it was called Stand By Me... beautiful song and apropos for the film.

-Bruce's famous line: "Nobody wins unless everybody wins" really sums up this film and is quoted in the film.

If you have friends and family that don't get you and your Bruce "connection" - take them to see this film! In 2 hours they WILL get you.

THIS IS A LOVE LETTER TO BRUCE AND HIS MUSIC AND HOW HE HAS TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE

I plan to take individual members of my family and individual friends to see this when it comes out in August. In the hope that they will turn their head to me and just nod... (I get it!)

BTW: The applause at the end of the film was deafening and when the director returned, she got a standing ovation as well as some "I'm not worthy bows"