Blinded by the Light 2019 Watch Online

Blinded by the Light Watch Online: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In 1987, Javed Khan, a young Pakistani migrant, navigates life in Luton, England, alongside his family—his parents Malik and Noor, and his sisters Yasmeen and Shazia. Set against the backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership, Javed’s passion for contemporary rock music clashes with his father’s disapproval. Despite his love for writing poetry and lyrics for his best friend Matt’s band, Javed faces criticism for his seemingly depressing work.

Struggles of Identity and Belonging

Feeling out of place at his new sixth-form college, Javed is one of only two South Asian students, the other being Roops, a devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen. In Ms. Clay’s writing class, Javed develops a crush on activist Eliza, which ignites his interest in pursuing a writing career. After class, he confides in Ms. Clay about his poetry and diaries, seeking guidance and support.

During lunch, Roops introduces Javed to two Bruce Springsteen cassette tapes, claiming that Springsteen offers “the direct line to all that is true in this shitty world.” As Javed grapples with constant racism from peers and neighbors, his father Malik insists he should follow the successful Jewish students at college, further complicating Javed’s sense of identity.

Finding Inspiration Through Music

Javed’s aspirations are stifled when he is denied the chance to write for the school paper. The situation worsens when Vauxhall Motors lays off Malik after sixteen years of service, forcing Noor to take on extra sewing work to make ends meet. Frustrated by the racism he faces and his father’s lack of understanding, Javed discards his poems during the great storm of 1987. However, after listening to the Springsteen tapes, he finds solace in the lyrics and retrieves his discarded work.

Excitedly, Javed shares his newfound inspiration with Roops, expressing how Springsteen resonates with his feelings. He continues to develop his writing, sharing his poetry with Ms. Clay. A neighbor, Mr. Evans, discovers one of Javed’s poems that criticizes the National Front, and as a former WWII soldier, he empathizes with Javed’s struggles, calling the poem brilliant. Unfortunately, Javed’s parents do not share the same appreciation.

Love, Ambition, and Family Tensions

Javed submits an article about Springsteen to the school newspaper, which gets accepted. Meanwhile, Malik is preoccupied with financial worries regarding Yasmeen’s wedding. To help, Javed takes a Saturday job with Matt’s father, who also admires Springsteen. This job allows Javed to impress Eliza by serenading her with a Springsteen song, but it strains his friendship with Matt.

After mustering the courage to ask Eliza out, Javed finds joy in their time together, leading to a kiss that inspires him to write poems about her. Ms. Clay praises his work and arranges an unpaid internship for him at the Herald. However, Malik’s financial struggles force the family to sell Noor’s dowry jewelry, and tensions rise as Malik refuses to help with household responsibilities.

Confronting Racism and Family Expectations

As tensions escalate between the Muslim community and the National Front, Javed faces challenges in his relationship with Eliza, whose conservative parents express their disapproval. Despite this, Javed remains committed to Eliza, even as he grapples with his family’s expectations. At the Herald, Javed’s article on racism earns him a front-page feature, and he decides to use his earnings to buy tickets for a Springsteen concert.

On the day of Yasmeen’s wedding, Javed rushes to buy concert tickets, but his family arrives at the venue, leading to a confrontation with National Front members who assault Malik. Upset by Javed’s perceived dishonor, Malik demands the tickets, leading to a heated argument where Javed asserts his desire for independence and a future beyond his father’s expectations.

A Defining Moment of Choice

At school, Eliza confronts Javed about his priorities, and Ms. Clay informs him that his Springsteen essay has won him a chance to attend a lecture in New Jersey. Initially hesitant due to his father’s disapproval, Javed changes his mind after witnessing racist graffiti on their home. Malik warns him about the dangers of America, insisting that leaving would mean severing ties with his family.

Javed embarks on an inspiring trip to the States with Roops, while Noor urges Malik to reconcile with their son. When Javed is invited to read his essay at a school event, Eliza gathers his