Review of Blinded by the Light (2019) by Dawdlingpoet — 25 Nov 2021

This is a coming of age film, about individualism and determination I suppose, in the downtrodden and racist setting of England in the 1980s. I appreciated that and I can't say I didn't enjoy the music - there's a definite sense of nostalgia, even though I was barely a toddler in 1987 (when its set, I believe), I do certainly like a good bit of 1980s music.

It is perhaps a little cheesy or maybe somewhat earnest/cliched but otherwise its a good, solid film, with the definite feel of a Ken Loach film about it. It would be hard not to relate to at least one aspect of this film, if not the sense of frustration and despair of the main character due mainly to social isolation (which is particularly relevant at the moment but for non racist, or social class, reasons, obviously).

The cast are pretty solid, with a good performance from the main character, Javed, played by Viveik Kalra. Also present are Rob Brydon as the father of Javed's friend and David Hayman as a neighbour. I just couldn't quite get away from a feeling of it being a little.

..simplified?. It doesn't seem entirely fair to say that but as my reviews are honest and thats my honest thought, then that's what I'm saying. Its still an enjoyable film that's worth a watch but I suppose I feel like there have been so many films about the key themes, that maybe I'm too used to the thematic elements.

However, as I say, its still a good film and as long as your keen on 80s pop music and, more specifically, of course, Bruce 'The Boss' Springsteen (and less so perhaps the act of pursuing a career that you feel really speaks to you, in this case of writing), then you should certainly enoy this, to one extent or another.

Its a decent enough feel good movie, certainly.