If you’re looking for something to do this weekend eve—or next weekend eve, for that matter—have a go at Blinded By the Light, a British coming-of-age story of a young UK-born highschooler growing up in a bad economy and a traditional Pakistani family. The screenplay is based on the true-life experiences of author Sarfraz Manzoor, but the story line itself holds few surprises (boy-meets-girl; kids dance ecstatically through town; bigots harass, but mentor prevails; boy grows to manhood; curmudgeonly father relents, etc.), but it remains an effective story line, extremely engagingly told here by director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham). Like Titanic, you know how Blinded will end, but that doesn’t make it dull.

The music and how it’s put to use here is nothing short of brilliant. Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics become, in a very real way, a supporting actor here. As young Javed (Viveik Kalra) delves deeper into Springsteen’s music, snatches of lyrics literally show up on the screen, becoming real not only to the character, but to the audience. Taking the workingman’s woes, wonders and ethic Springsteen espouses to heart, the boy’s expectations and his life take shape with hope and purpose.

Spoiler Alerts #3 & #4: Be prepared to appreciate Springsteen more than you did before, even if he’s one of your musical holy trinity already. Really. And last, like Saturday Night Fever and the Bee Gees, this film will cause you to drag out your vinyl, tapes or CDs and listen to Springsteen again. And like SNF, listening to the music will make you want to see the movie again. Press “Repeat” on and off for the next few years on TV… but that’s OK.

Stay tuned for more.

—Suzanne Cadgène