Beyond the Lights Movie Download

7 / 10

Mbatha-Raw is a Rising Star
After seeing Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s performance in “Belle” recently and now viewing her rather dazzling screen charisma here, she would certainly seem to be a rising star.

She gives a superb performance as Noni Jean, a skyrocketing musical talent, living the fairy tale life of a superstar, being followed everywhere by adoring fans and relentless paparazzi. However, despite all the glitz and glamor, deep inside Noni is quite depressed and unhappy.

Her every move, both in her personal and professional life, is being controlled by her extremely domineering mother Macy. Minnie Driver is terrific in the role of Macy, being totally believable. Noni is so down that on the night she wins her first Billboard Award, she attempts suicide off of a hotel balcony, before being saved at the last minute by the police officer assigned for her security.

Nate Parker is also excellent here as the principled police officer Kaz Nicol who saves her life. He’s also dealing with a highly controlling parent (Danny Glover), with his father planning out his life so he’ll eventually run for political office and have a career in that field.

Noni and Kaz will begin to build a bond, but can these two souls living in two very different worlds overcome the pressures of their controlling parents, the media, and record companies to form a lasting relationship? Just a note for the viewers: there are a number of highly provocative and suggestive dance routines, from the first scenes onward, which have sexual connotations, plus one or two actual sex scenes in the film which are not explicit.

The very talented filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees) ably handles the writing and direction here, and I really felt I got a vivid feel of what it’s like to be a rising superstar in that environment.

This is not a perfect film by any means, but the strong acting, appealing soundtrack, and a rousing and heart-felt finale win the day here.Read More