Indie Soul Movie Pick: Beyond The Lights

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Noni Jean is a hot new artist who recently won a Billboard Music Award without releasing an album and is primed for super-stardom. However, the pressure of success compels her to nearly end her life. She is saved by a young police officer, Kaz Nicol, who has political ambitions.

Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz’s love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be. The movie is a romantic drama directed and written by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Disappearing Acts, Love & Basketball, Secret Life of Bees). The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Minnie Driver, Nate Parker, Danny Glover, and rapper Machine Gun Kelly.

Once again Gina Prince-Bythewood gives us a well-written, wonderfully cast black love story by fusing two different worlds whose characters, Noni (played by Mbatha-Raw) and Kaz (played by Nate Parker) are having the same issues with regard to who is controlling their lives and why. The key to becoming free to be who they truly want to be is love. Will they get there? Well you have to see the movie for that answer.