Blinded by the Light

"Blinded by the Light" is a British coming-of-age musical drama about a Pakistani teenager in 1980s England who discovers Bruce Springsteen’s music and finds the courage to express himself amid cultural and generational clashes. While at first glance it seems like just another feel-good indie flick, it’s surprisingly heartfelt and evocative of what it’s like to belong to two worlds. The music isn’t your typical all-singing, all-dancing Broadway fare — instead, it creatively weaves Springsteen’s lyrics into the protagonist’s everyday struggles and dreams.

What I really appreciated was how the film used its soundtrack. Instead of characters randomly bursting into song, the story lets the Boss’s music soundtrack real emotional moments or gets literally plastered onto the screen in quirky, stylized ways. It injects both nostalgia and freshness, even if you’re not a die-hard Springsteen fan. The sequences where the lyrics become a physical part of the scene were especially memorable and fun to watch.

That said, sometimes the story gets a bit heavy-handed — some scenes spell out their messages a little too plainly, especially when it comes to family and racism themes. The supporting characters are a bit archetypal (the strict dad, the rebellious friend, the supportive teacher), and while that keeps the film light, it doesn’t leave as much room for nuance as I’d have liked. Still, the earnest performance by Viveik Kalra as Javed really anchors the film.

The late-‘80s England setting is lovingly recreated, with everything from fashion to politics feeling authentic but never distracting from Javed’s journey. Visually, it’s nothing flashy or overly cinematic, but it’s comfortable and warm — like a favorite vinyl. You can tell the filmmakers wanted the focus on story and music rather than fancy camerawork, and for this kind of film, it works.

You’d enjoy this if you like underdog stories, have a soft spot for music that changes lives, or ever felt a bit stuck between cultures. It’s a great pick for anyone who enjoys movies like "Sing Street" or "The Commitments," or anyone who wants a reminder of how powerful music, family, and a little rebellion can be.