Review of Beyond the Lights (2014) by Greg B — 15 Nov 2014
"Beyond the Lights" is a poignant, thoughtful look at a female pop star's struggle with depression due to her relentless, unsympathetic, over-achieving mother and her unhappiness with the lack of meaning in her life.
A police officer (Nate Parker) becomes her savior when he saves her from an attempted suicide. It is at that point that she finds new meaning in life and is able to break the shackles of her façade and become her true self, both on the inside and outside.
I thought this film was pretty well-acted and had a high storytelling ability. The story is well-developed and unique and is one of the strongest merits of this film. Though it is cookie-cutter, as most movies are, I actually feel the story of her life could not be properly told without a formulaic story arc.
I only penalize a movie for being formulaic if it doesn't break out of the derivative mold and becomes defined by its formulaic plot. In this movie, the cookie-cutter plot actually furthers the script and character development.
A fine job all around ---------------------------------------------- B+.
This review of Beyond the Lights (2014) was written by Greg B on 15 Nov 2014.
Beyond the Lights has generally received positive reviews.
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