Blinded
bytheLight
(Musical,drama)I
t’s her best movie
since BendIt Like
Beckham and director
and cowriter Gurinder
Chadha has created a
joyous instant classic
for anyone who has felt
like an outsider. Set
in 1987 in Thatcher’s
Britain, hopeful writer
and sensitive 16-year-old
Javed (Viveik Kalra) is
from a Pakistani family
living in Luton, England.
His bland world
explodes with colour
when Roops (Aaron
Phagura) introduces
him to the music of US
rocker Bruce Springsteen.
Suddenly, wearing a
Springsteen-style jean
jacket, life makes sense
for Javed with the help
of Springsteen’s lyrics
to inspire him. This is an
inspiring, foot-stomping
ray of musical sunshine.OnceUponaTimein Hollywood
(Drama,blackcomedy)O
scar-winningwriter and director
QuentinTarantino is back with his
star-studdedninth movie and his
trademarkensemblecast, which includes
MargotRobbie,isbetter than ever.
LeonardoDiCaprioplays slick TV star
RickDalton,whoisbacked up by his trusty
stuntdoubleandfriend Cliff Booth (Brad
Pitt).Thesefictionalcharacters are said
tobebasedonthereal-life actor Burt
Reynoldsandstuntman Hal Needham.
Setin 1969 inLosAngeles against the eerie
backdropoftheCharles Manson Family
murders,the‘notquiteas hip as they used
tobe’duoarestruggling to be relevant in
arapidlychangingHollywood. It’s a movie
peoplewillbetalkingabout.Blinded
READER’S DIGEST
128 august 2019