Film review

There are important messages in this teen-centric movie, but will they reach its viewers?

Sometimes a film comes along which does everything in its power to win my heart, but fails miserably. More times than not I like to lay the blame firmly on the doorstep of the film itself. Other times, like right now, I must consider the possibility that the cynic in me might be responsible. Because what we have here is a film with a tonne of heart and important messages of tolerance, love and the power of music, and if you can stomach the overwhelmingly trite and earnest delivery, then Blinded by the Light could be just the ticket.

Based on the memoir of British journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, Greetings from Bury Park: Race. Religion. Rock ’n’ Roll., the story is set in Britain during the tumultuous times of the Thatcher administration. The 1980s have much to answer for and Thatcher is the least of our worries when you consider the fashion of the day – no matter how great the costume and art departments are, there is no escaping the feeling that any movie set in the 80s ends up looking like a fancy dress party.

Our leading man is Javed (Viveik Kalra) and we meet him as he enters 6th form, his inner monologue way out of step with the world around him, particularly his very traditional Pakistani father (Kulvinder Ghir). They live in a predominantly white, well-to-do suburb in the Bedfordshire town of Luton, but it’s not exactly the bright lights of London, or even Manchester, and

all Javed wants is out. He longs to be a writer and he’s working hard to get into university – just two of the secrets he’s keeping from his family.

His childhood bestie Matt (Dean-Charles Chapman) lives across the cul-de-sac and is the poster child for 80s pop music. He believes the synth is the only musical “instrument” worth a damn. When his friend Javed discovers The Boss, Matt simply can’t deal with it.

So, yes indeed, as the lyrical title suggests, the beat of this story is all rock ’n’ roll and Bruce Springsteen, and it will change Javed’s life for ever. As the rising social and racial unrest seethes and swirls around his small-town world, it’s clear it will all come to the boil soon enough.

This film is the latest from Gurinder Chadha, the director who kick-started

Keira Knightley’s career in 2002’s Bend it Like Beckham. That story was a timely delight exploring very similar themes to this, but with far more charm and far less cheesiness. Coupled with several jarring lurches in the narrative and some truly awful musical montages, I became increasingly disengaged from any genuine emotional response.

So here I sit warming my hands on the charred remains of my stone-cold heart, secure in the knowledge that while Blinded by the Light did not bring me joy, there’s a good chance it may for others less jaded.