Blinded by the Light: CSP Film Review

1. "Blinded by the Light" is a coming-of-age film directed by Gurinder Chadha, based on the memoir "Greetings from Bury Park" by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor. The film tells the story of Javed, a British-Pakistani teenager living in Luton, England in the late 1980s. Javed is struggling to find his place in the world, as he is constantly torn between his British identity and the expectations of his strict Muslim father.

2. Javed is a shy and introverted teenager who is struggling to fit in with his classmates, who are mostly white. He is also struggling to connect with his father, who is very traditional and wants Javed to become a doctor or a lawyer. Javed's father is also deeply affected by the racism and discrimination that he has faced in the UK, and is determined to protect his family from it. However, when Javed discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen, he finds a sense of identity and purpose that he had been missing. Javed is amazed by the lyrics of Springsteen's songs, which seem to speak directly to him and his experiences. He starts to see the world in a different way, and begins to understand that it is possible to be true to yourself and still be proud of your heritage. Javed's newfound love for Springsteen's music also helps him to connect with his father, who begins to see the world in a different way as well.

3. Gurinder Chadha is a British film director and screenwriter known for her films that often explore the experiences of South Asian immigrants in the United Kingdom. She has been open about her political views, which include support for the Labour Party and opposition to Brexit. In the past, she has also been vocal about the lack of representation of people of colour in the film industry. Some of her films, such as "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Viceroy's House," have also sparked controversy and criticism for their depiction of certain historical events and characters.

4. The film's use of Springsteen's music is also noteworthy, as it effectively conveys the emotions that Javed is experiencing. The film's soundtrack is a mix of Springsteen's greatest hits and some lesser-known tracks that perfectly match the film's tone and themes. It effectively conveys the emotions that Javed is experiencing. The use of costume, location and dialogue also has matches greatly with the fashion and speech that was used at the time the film was set.

5. The film is a heart-warming and uplifting story, with strong performances by the cast, particularly Viveik Kalra as Javed. Kalra gives a powerful and emotional performance as Javed, capturing the character's sense of isolation and longing. The actors have also been cast appropriately to the time period, helping reflect the situations such as thousands of people losing their jobs, the racial problems that Javed's family had to face and the overall struggle of which they had to live in.

6. The film is set in the late 1980s, a period of great social and political change in the UK. The film shows how Javed and his family are affected by the racism and discrimination that they face, as well as the rise of the far-right National Front party. However, the film also shows how Javed and his family are able to find hope and inspiration in the face of these challenges. One of the strongest aspects of "Blinded by the Light" is the way in which it handles the themes of identity and belonging. Javed is constantly torn between his British identity and the expectations of his strict Muslim father.

7. "Blinded by the Light" is a film that will resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The film is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and to help them find their place in the world. It is also a powerful and emotional story about the struggles of growing up and finding your place in the world. The film is a feel-good film that is sure to leave audiences with a sense of hope and inspiration. Overall, I believe the film can be enjoyed by enjoyed by anyone, old or young and the impact of the message made by the movie can be understood by anyone.



P.S. I still think musicals are awful

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