New Jersey is a metaphor. It exists defiantly, sandwiched between two rebelliously distinct metropolises (New York City and Philadelphia). It welcomes mostly anyone the bad, the good, the very good. It boasts a smattering of ecosystems, too, from beaches to cities to cranberry bogs to mountains. Its identity is strong but ever-changing. Youll always move around there a vessel of highways and boulevards in which New Jerseyans are free to always go. Theres a reason so many natives ask new Garden State friends What exit do you live off of?

But what happens when New Jersey becomes a state of mind? You get a damn good Bruce Springsteen song and the film Blinded by the Light.

Directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice) and based on the 2007 memoir Greetings From Bury Park by Sarfraz Manzoor, the coming-of-age film tells the story of a British Pakistani Muslim teen named Javed growing up in the late 1980s who discovers himself through the songs and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen. Through Springsteens music, Javed explores identity, romance and his relationship to his parents all while white supremacy and economic stress infiltrate his town.

The soundtrack, of course, delivers the hits and everything in between that any Springsteen fan would want, including a beautiful reimagining of Jungleland Chadha told HuffPost his music is very important to her and like an old friend. Beyond the films heart, Blinded By The Light shows characters oft not prioritized in Hollywood. Seeing their stories unfold feels as euphoric as a saxophone hitting a high note.