How a Pakistani boy from Luton (located in the south east of England) becomes enamoured with the musical icon from New Jersey underlines the story. A story very loosely based on the life of Sarfraz Manzoor, a British journalist and broadcaster who wrote the book Greetings from Bury Park.

Javed (Viveik Kalra) is a young man torn between two worlds. One side sees him as a dutiful son in a traditional Pakistani family while the other side sees him yearning to be more than just his upbringing and embrace the west. The film takes musical flights of fantasy often and it’s clever in the way it presents the lyrics and music of Bruce Springsteen.

For such a heavy time, the film is light entertainment. It makes its message with a subtle touch, not the sledge hammer approach and in that way it’s quite entertaining. Music is the universal language and often speaks to the better part of ourselves. Blinded By The Light is a heart-warming example of that.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

That most of the laughs erupt between groans is only indicative of what constitutes a modern day comedy. Throw as many jokes in as fast as possible because the days of slowly building up to the big laugh are long gone.

McCarthy also one-ups the boys with a performance that is equal parts cringe comedy and social harpooning. With one of the many targets being fairly obvious, the only thing that prevents Martha Stewart from rolling in her grave is the fact she hasn’t died yet.

The rest of the cast is almost completely subservient to double M. Kristen Bell is especially underutilized as her role uncomfortably veers from loving mother to abused underling to confident women. Peter Dinklage does however hold his own as a fierce competitor with a major crush.

With a fearless script and the nerve to push things over the edge, The Boss delivers the kind of thrills not often seen in a present day comedy and even more infrequently in one starring a female comedian. For those expecting great art, better to look elsewhere but for those that want to let go and laugh, the film more often than not hits the mark.

Rob Hudson
www.thebossmovie.com.au