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Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Blinded by the Light (2019) in Movies

Jul 10, 2019  
Blinded by the Light (2019)
Blinded by the Light (2019)
2019 | Biography, Comedy, Drama
8
7.1 (16 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
One of the joys of having a cinema card are the previews, because you chose to pay monthly or yearly for unlimited films you get to see some films early, this can be anything from a day to a month. Then there are the secret films, a preview that can be a few months early but you only find out what you are seeing when the certificate card comes up. This is how I came to see Blinded by the Light. As the title came up I dug through my memory to see if I'd seen any trailers, I thought I had but couldn't remember anything about it. Five people left cinema so there must have been some trailers but people leaving doesn't really tell you much, there's always some one who leaves and it's better than the people who stay and mumble about how rubbish it is. After the title came the words ‘Inspired by real events.’ Which still doesn't give to much away, it could be an over the top farce like ‘I Tonya', a black comedy like ‘Three Billboards’ or a dull trudge like ‘The Post'.
It turns out that 'Blinded by the Light' is not really any of these, it's more of a 'slice of life' it the slice is a couple of years. The film centres on Javed, a Pakistani teen living in Luton, England in the late 1980s. Javed has written diaries and poems for most of his life but, due to his family life he has always kept them to himself. Not long after starting his A levels Javed is introduced to the music of Bruce Springsteen and finds that the lyrics speak to him in a way he's never felt before.
Blinded by the Light is a film about family, friends and finding your place. Javed starts off as a quiet, bookish character who, thanks to the people around him and his growing love of Bruce Springsteen records manages to find himself. However, this change leaded to problems as he clash’s with family and friends.
Being set in 80s and being about a Pakistani family the film also touches on the problem of racism and, from the clips I remembered from the trailer I found myself wondering if it was going to erupt into violence in the style of films like 'Made in England'. However, 'blinded by the Light' takes a more family friendly view, it does show some racism but less ‘violent’ and more personal making ‘Blinded by the Light’ a more family friendly film.
Although music plays a large part of the film it is not the music itself that’s important but the effect that it has on Javed, showing how the right music can change someone’s life.
  
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Merissa (12051 KP) rated Elle's A to Z of Love in Books

Jun 25, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)  
Elle's A to Z of Love
Elle's A to Z of Love
Claire Huston | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ELLE'S A TO Z OF LOVE is another charming, genteel story from the wonderful Claire Huston. If you want bright lights and big city, then you're definitely in the wrong place. Here you will find the Village Fayre (with a y) and lots of bunting!

The thing I really enjoyed about this is that Elle doesn't find her 'one' immediately. And it's not the typical boy she's known forever and just didn't realise it. Instead, Ms Huston gives a more realistic version of Elle stumbling through life and trying to figure it out. Now, Elle is mostly a passive character. Don't get me wrong, she's very nice, but she does need to grow a backbone! Thankfully, she does and I was cheering along with everyone else. I loved how life got in the way and things changed and evolved.

The pacing is smooth and the story moves along steadily, helped by an amazing supporting cast of characters. There were no errors that I noticed which helped me enjoy this story.

As far as I am concerned, this is another winner by Claire Huston and absolutely recommended by me. Anyone for a slice of cake?!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 25, 2021
  
    Grief

    Grief

    Mike Leigh

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Book

    It's 1957. War widow Dorothy lives in a London suburb with her 15-year-old daughter Victoria and her...