Inspired by a true story, the film focuses on Javed (Viveik Kalra, in a remarkable performance by a young actor essentially plucked from drama school), the 16-year-old son of Pakistani immigrants chafing under the control of his domineering father (Kulvinder Ghir). Fond of writing poetry, Javed's whole existence is turned upside down when he's introduced to Springsteen's music, as the lyrics pour out of his head and into his soul as they unfurl across the screen."It's like Bruce knows everything I've ever felt," Javed marvels, popping a cassette into his portable player, which brands the year "1987" on the movie about as well as anything can.In most respects, Javed's is a classic tale of a youth chafing against the traditions of his family. But "Blinded" manages to zero in on a particular moment in British history — as unemployment soared and white nationalism flourished, leading to racial epithets and scrawled "Go home" graffiti directed at the Pakistani community — while evoking uncomfortable thoughts about what's transpiring today, in America as well as Europe.Based on a memoir by Sarfraz Manzoor, who shares script credit with Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges, the project has a great deal in common with "Beckham" in the cultural issues it explores, and using a high-profile figure to illuminate the longing of a teen rebelling against what's expected of him.At times, it does seem as if the writers have strung together a roster of coming-of-age movie clichés, including the caring teacher (Hayley Atwell) who recognizes Javed's talent, prods him to write and champions his cause. But at the occasional moment when the movie begins to feel clunky, it suddenly explodes into buoyant, infectious renditions of Springsteen hits like "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run" — not as a jukebox musical, exactly, but in flights of fancy that blur into Javed's fertile imagination.The key, ultimately, is that Springsteen's music triggers an awakening, one that emboldens Javed to defy his father's edicts, brave speaking to a girl he likes (Nell Williams) and contemplate who he truly is. Yet the movie also has considerable compassion for its supporting characters and incorporates nifty touches involving peripheral ones, such as an unassuming neighbor who takes aRead More – Source
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