Review by Monique Thompson
The pressures of fame have superstar singer Noni on the edge, until she meets Kaz, a young cop who works to help find the courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.
It’s been over 10 years since Gina Prince-Bythewood wrote and directed Love and Basketball but she returns with a bang with the romantic-drama Beyond The Lights.
Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is the music industry’s biggest superstar but the bright shining lights of stardom help mask a dark reality for the singer. Then comes Kaz (Nate Parker), a young cop who wants nothing more than to be a successful cop like his father. Once Noni and Kaz’s paths cross, neither of their lives will be the same.
What’s very interesting about Beyond The Lights is that it actually does what the title says; it goes beyond the glitz and glamour we see with women in the music industry and brings attention to the real life struggles many singers deal with. While on the outside, Noni appears to have the perfect life and works hard to maintain an image of a super sexy, young, and vivacious singer that many have known her to be. But, is that the real Noni or just an image she’s portraying?
As with Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in Love and Basketball, the chemistry between Mbatha and Parker is simply flawless. Prince-Bythewood’s writing is so brilliantly done as the love story of Noni and Kaz goes on a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns at the right places.
Beyond The Lights has many star cameos so you just never know what other celebrities you may see. Destined for the potential to be another classic love story of our generation like Love And Basketball, Beyond The Lights is a must see. The trailer does the film no justice!
