"Beyond The Lights" Showcases The "Not So Bright" Side Of Showbusiness

DETROIT (WWJ) – What's it like to live life in the fast lane? To be a hot recording artist, performing sold-out concerts in front of thousands of fans, all of whom are screaming your name? To have the paparazzi following your every move, taking pictures of you every chance they get? While most of us will never experience a life like that, the new movie "Beyond the Lights" offers a peek into such a fast-paced lifestyle.

"Beyond the Lights" tells the story of Noni, a young, beautiful recording artist on the brink of superstardom. But things are not always what they seem and just when Noni's world is about to fall apart, she meets Kaz, a police officer and aspiring politician. What happens next is the beginning of their love story. And their love is one they both find themselves fighting for from the start.

"Beyond the Lights" is written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who also wrote and directed the hit film "Love and Basketball," released back in 2000. With that film still ranking as a favorite among its fans, anticipation is high for "Beyond the Lights." And, undoubtedly, Prince-Bythewood knew that would be the case. She and her team left no stone unturned with the film's authenticity.

Audiences going to see "Beyond the Lights" will notice a number of recognizable faces from the worlds of entertainment, sports and journalism. And if the soundtrack has you wanting to snap your fingers and dance along to the beat, that's because none other than The Dream is the force behind the music.

"Beyond the Lights" uses entertainment and fun to help deliver a message about self-worth, female empowerment and the beauty of true love. With all of that going for it and more – including the on-screen chemistry between Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Noni and Nate Parker as Kaz – there's no way this movie could lose.

"Beyond the Lights" also stars Danny Glover as Kaz's father, Police Captain David Nicol, and Minnie Driver as Macy, Noni's mother. Hip-hop artist Colson Baker, better known as Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), stars as Kid Culprit. While this is MGK's first film role, after seeing his performance, you'll understand why I say this definitely won't be his last.

With "Beyond the Lights," Prince-Bythewood will have her fans anxious for more.  Go see it!  And after you do, I'm willing to bet that you'll be hoping it doesn't take Prince-Bythewood another 14 years to bring a new love story to the big screen.

See you at the movies!

Be sure to tune in to WWJ Newsradio 950 every Friday at 2:40pm for my weekly look at the movies with Midday Anchor Jackie Paige.

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

Member, Detroit Film Critics Society