Blinded by the Light

Just as sociopolitical forces over time have torn us apart, music is one vessel to bridge cultures and bring us together.

That might sound trite, but don’t tell that to the protagonist is Blinded by the Light — a crowd-pleasing tale with true-life roots — about a Pakistani teenager living in England during the 1980s who found life-changing inspiration in the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen.

Set against the volatile socioeconomic backdrop of the Thatcher regime, the story focuses on Javed (Viveik Kalra), a teenage aspiring writer from a blue-collar family. He’s trying to cope with small-town intolerance and the temper of his overbearing father (Kulvinder Ghir).

Javed’s outlook brightens considerably after a classmate (Aaron Phagura) introduces him to Springsteen — already considered a relic by some naysaying neighbors — and he becomes an obsessed fan. More importantly, though, Javed finds parallels between Springsteen’s rock songs from New Jersey and his own struggles, prompting him to discover his own voice and follow his artistic dreams.

On the surface, it might be tempting to compare Blinded by the Light to the recent Yesterday, a more lighthearted fantasy that also showcased a British-Pakistani leading man whose life changed thanks to classic song lyrics (the Beatles, in that case).

However, as directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend it Like Beckham), this is a more earnest and heartfelt effort, for better and worse. It effectively juggles its comedic and dramatic elements despite some cheesy clichés. At least it has the inherent benefit of great music on the soundtrack, with a particular focus on Springsteen’s late-1970s heyday.

The heavy-handed screenplay, based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir, takes some narrative shortcuts that compromise the emotional depth and wipe out much of the subtlety in the material.

Fortunately, newcomer Kalra conveys a charming and charismatic screen presence, and the film establishes a convincing connection between working-class artists from across the pond as Javed tries to break free from the oppressive threats to his future. The enthusiasm behind his transformation is infectious.

While “Born to Run” serenades your brain afterward, you might even ponder music’s unique ability to connect listeners of different ages and backgrounds. Or just close your eyes and sing along. That’s a Boss move.

Rated PG-13, 117 minutes.