--- title: "Blinded by the Light: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/blinded-by-the-light/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/blinded-by-the-light" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 25 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Blinded by the Light (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 25 reviews: 18 positive, 4 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Blinded by the Light, praising its sincerity and its account of how Springsteen’s songs help Javed express himself. Praise centres on Viveik Kalra’s engaging lead performance and the energetic musical sequences, which many find persuasive in capturing the intensity of teenage discovery. The portrait of British Pakistani life also earns approval, particularly the father-son relationship and the attention to racism alongside the more buoyant coming-of-age material. The spread is wide, however, and even favourable reviews acknowledge corniness, predictability and occasional excess. The musical sequences divide critics most clearly: admirers find them joyful, while detractors see awkward staging and too much reliance on the lyrics to carry a thin story. The Guardian finds the sentiment contrived despite the early scenes’ charm; The New Yorker raises a different objection, arguing that Javed’s fixation on Springsteen narrows the film’s idea of liberation. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 2019. Turan finds the film high-spirited and deeply enjoyable, celebrating the transformative power of Springsteen’s music. He particularly praises the energetic Bollywood-style production numbers that bring the songs to life. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-08-14/blinded-by-the-light-bruce-springsteen-gurinder-chadha) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Rating Critic's Pick. 27 January 2019. Festival review. Gleiberman praises the film as an exuberant return to form and an irresistible celebration of rock-and-roll sincerity. He especially singles out Viveik Kalra’s vibrant performance and the film’s joyful musical sequences. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/blinded-by-the-light-review-1203119930/) ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 August 2019. Freer finds the film an exuberant, emotionally generous celebration of music and self-expression. He especially praises its vivid portrait of British Pakistani life and the humanity given to Javed’s father. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/blinded-by-the-light/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 4/5. 9 August 2019. O'Sullivan finds the film a flawed but charming ray of sunshine, praising its tender portrayal of Javed’s bond with Springsteen’s music. She singles out the unpredictable musical scenes and the vivid “daytimer” sequence for their energy and appeal. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/blinded-by-the-light-review-theres-no-resisting-the-charms-of-the-boss-a4209436.html) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 4/5. The critic calls it an endearingly eager and energetic film. They praise its vibrant multicultural story, sparked by Javed’s discovery of Bruce Springsteen’s music. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7nrpbc/blinded-by-the-light/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 31 July 2019. The review finds the film effervescent and warmly entertaining. It singles out its Springsteen-powered story and pop-cultural details, including Sony Walkmans and double denim. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/blinded-by-the-light) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2019. Festival review. Grierson presents the film as an upbeat, feelgood potential hit. He singles out its use of Bruce Springsteen’s music in adapting Sarfraz Mansoor’s memoirs. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/blinded-by-the-light-sundance-review/5136229.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2019. Festival review. DeFore finds it a shamelessly corny but appealing crowd-pleaser, carried by its lead’s likability. He praises Viveik Kalra’s performance and the film’s eventual emotional payoff, while criticizing some of its awkward, overdone musical sequences. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/blinded-by-light-review-1180066/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 August 2019. The URL identifies this as a review of the specified film, but the article content is inaccessible. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/movies/blinded-by-the-light-review.html) ## Slant Magazine — Steven Scaife Rating 2.5/4. 14 August 2019. The critic finds the film hackneyed but infectious, with an unabashed joy that remains compelling despite a story that barely holds together. They praise how genuinely it captures a teenager’s all-encompassing discovery of Springsteen’s music. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-blinded-by-the-light-is-a-wet-sloppy-public-kiss-to-bruce-springsteen/) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★★. 7 August 2019. Matheou finds the film heartfelt and charming, though it pushes its luck and becomes cheesy. He praises its capture of 1980s Luton while criticizing the overbearing use of Springsteen songs. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/blinded-by-the-light-film-review-bruce-springsteen-times-cast-trailer-release-323555) ## Little White Lies — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/2/2. 5 August 2019. Huddleston finds the film upbeat but overly sentimental, formulaic, and weighed down by a paper-thin plot. He praises the thrilling first moment when Springsteen’s music transforms Javed’s world, while later musical sequences fall flat. [Read the review](https://www.lwlies.com/reviews/blinded-by-the-light) ## The Guardian — Benjamin Lee Rating 2/5. 28 January 2019. Festival review. Lee calls the film a contrived, over-sentimental misfire whose familiar coming-of-age formula fails to deliver its intended warmth. He praises the early scenes’ charm and sharp depiction of racism, but criticizes the awkward musical sequences and reliance on Springsteen’s lyrics. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jan/28/blinded-by-the-light-review-bruce-springsteen-inspires-sentimental-misfire) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 15 August 2019. Brody finds the film’s heartwarming approach contrived and its vision of liberation narrow. He particularly criticizes how Javed’s discovery of Springsteen becomes a monomaniacal fixation rather than opening him to a wider musical world. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/a-teen-ager-is-saved-by-the-music-of-bruce-springsteen-in-blinded-by-the-light) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood Rating A. 16 August 2019. Festival review. Chitwood calls the film an irresistible, heartfelt triumph that ranks among the year’s best. He especially praises its lead performance and how Springsteen’s music gives shape to the story’s personal themes. [Read the review](https://collider.com/blinded-by-the-light-review/) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 August 2019. Festival review. Worthington finds the film an unapologetically sincere, emotionally gripping crowd-pleaser, despite its syrupy earnestness. He especially praises its vivid, joyful use of Springsteen’s music to express the thrill of adolescent self-discovery. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/08/film-review-blinded-by-the-light/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 August 2019. Reynolds calls the film an absolute joy, praising its warmth and humor. He singles out the Springsteen-driven musical sequences and Viveik Kalra’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/blinded-by-the-light-review-bruce-springsteen-movie/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The critic calls the film a soaring success, balancing heartfelt uplift with darker social realities. They single out the emotional messages inspired by Springsteen’s music as the reason it works. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/blinded-by-the-light-review/) ## The Playlist — Jordan Ruimy Rating A-. 29 January 2019. Festival review. Ruimy praises the film as an exuberant, life-affirming crowd-pleaser that connects Springsteen’s music to Javed’s coming-of-age story. He singles out the energetic use of the songs and lyrics, while acknowledging occasional predictability and corniness. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/blinded-by-light-sundance-review-20190129/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 2019. The critic finds the film corny and overblown but ultimately irresistible and moving. They praise how Chadha uses Springsteen’s songs to convey the transformative power of music. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/blinded-by-the-light-film-review-bruce-springsteen-gurinder-chadha/) ## Film Stories — Simon Brew Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 August 2019. The critic calls it a funny, moving, surprising treat with energy and plenty to say. He especially praises the father-son relationship, whose performances moved him to tears. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/blinded-by-the-light-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film refreshing, heartwarming and broadly uplifting. They especially praise the musical sequences, singling out the joyous ‘Born To Run’ scene. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/blinded-by-the-light-film-review-2533965) ## /Film — Ethan Anderton Rating 8.5 out of 10. 1 February 2019. Festival review. Anderton finds the film an uplifting, emotionally resonant coming-of-age story. He especially praises Viveik Kalra’s performance and the film’s portrayal of racism and cultural identity. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/563963/blinded-by-the-light-review-sundance/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 August 2019. The critic finds the film a delight and praises its personal touch and honesty. He singles out how Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics resonate with Javed’s experience and speak to a generation. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/blinded-by-the-light-2019-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## The Ringer — Rob Harvilla Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 2019. Harvilla finds the film a heartfelt, if predictable, celebration of Springsteen fandom that captures its believers’ fervor. He praises its willingness to risk looking uncool, while noting that the pacing lags and the father-son drama is unsurprising. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/08/19/movies/boss-worship-blinded-by-the-light-is-devoted-to-capturing-what-makes-bruce-springsteen-so-beloved) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/blinded-by-the-light.md