Beyond The Lights - Finding Themselves
The pressures of fame have superstar singer Noni on the edge of a balcony attempting to throw her life away, when rescued by Kaz, a young cop who works to find her find her courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be and the love that he has been searching for.
Towards the end of the movie both Noni and Kaz are questioning the reasons for their relationship and what must happen for it to survive " Beyond The Lights"
Noni: That night, on the balcony…. You saw goodness in me. And it was enough to keep me going until I could finally see it in myself… Sorry it took me so long.
Kaz: Me, too.
Noni: I should let you go.
Kaz: Take care, Noni.
Noni:….Kaz? …..It was perfect, right? …..What we had.
Kaz: We started on a lie… So it could never be perfect.
What appears to be the end of an unlikely love story is the catalyst for correcting and removing the barriers of their former selves so that whatever destiny has in store for these two lovers they can meet the challenges head on and together.
Noni must address the lie and acknowledge her failings and her desires as to why she was put into such a predicament in the first place. With an interview with Don Lemon the issues are addressed.
Don Lemon: Are you really British? ….. And I ask because your former rapper boyfriend has been tweeting that you're faking that accent.
Noni: Uh… Well, I faked a lot of things when I was with him, but my accent wasn't one of them.
Don Lemon: Ouch.
Noni: Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
Don Lemon: You've been doing a lot of that lately.
Noni: What?
Don Lemon: Apologizing for your actions….. Are you concerned at all about your actions. Are you concerned at all about your image?
Noni: I'm not concerned at all.
Don Lemon: Your record company insists that you wanted to come on the air, and you wanted to get rid of those rumors, once and for all.
Noni: Well, firstly, I'd like to compliment the tabloids for their ability to capture those amazingly bad pictures of me….. That's a talent….. But ….. probably for the first time, they got the story right.
Don Lemon: What are you saying?
Noni: I'm saying, Truth is the only safe ground to stand upon….. I was on that balcony…. Ready to let go… I had to make the decision live….. I had to make the decision to stop being a victim, to stop trying to be somebody I knew I wasn't…. I needed to know what was worth saving about me. ….. And the truth is, that fantasy girl you see on all the posters, she did go over the balcony….. The real Noni Jean got pulled back up. I'm getting some help now. And it's helping me to get to know her. She still has some issues, but ….. I like her.
Don Lemon: You know what? …. Maybe, as we get to know her, maybe we'll like her, too…. That was a lot to admit, Noni….. Good Luck, Thank you.
Noni: Thanks, Don.
Kaz got to listens to Noni's truth proclamation and makes him reflect on his own truth liturgy when it comes to his career and his life.
Kaz: Hey, Pop?…. Remember when I was a kid and you'd tell ma about the people you saved, and all the bad guys you put away? Everything was so simple. You were like Superman to me. ….. All I wanted was to be just like you.
Captain Nicol: Son, all I ever wanted was for things to be better for you.
Kaz: Yeah, but better for me might not…have anything to do with my career.
Captain Nicol: Are you saying you don't want to be a bitter, heartbroken man?
Kaz: Don't you mean, " old, bitter, heartbroken man"?
The New Noni has arrived in London to do her first concert manager free , without Macy being her manager and being in complete control of her career.
Felicia: Noni….. Welcome back!… Good to have you back….. It's good for these kids to see you….. Let them see that they can make it out….. Your mom called.
Noni: She want you to tackle me before I get to the stage?
Felicia: No, she wants to know how you're doing. You know, it wasn't a monster who dragged you into my shop. It was a desperate Mom who seemed like she'd do anything to make her kid's life better…. It's time.
Noni: Ok!
Felicia: Go on…..Go, baby.
Noni: You can tell her I'm scared.
As Noni is about to go on stage Noni sees the one person she misses the most in this self awareness journey
Noni: What are you doing here?
Kaz: Change of plans.
Noni: You… got on a plane.
Kaz: Yeah, well, it wasn't quite as memorable as my first time, but they gave me snacks
Noni rushes to give Kaz a passionate kiss of approval... she is pressed to get on stage when she looks back to hear Kaz say
Kaz: I love you… And I'm not taking it back this time.
The screaming crowd is chanting, Noni, Noni, Noni!
Noni: Thank you ! Cheers, It's so good to be home… Cheers…. They asked me to sing Nina Simone's " Blackbird" … but I wrote this song…. I hope you like it….
Noni sings the song that she wrote which is her personal version of "Blackbird" which is her journey to where she finds herself now.
As I dive in
Without my wings
At the speed of Light
I'm flying to my end
As I fall
Without My wings
Humming the last song
The blackbird will sing
I'm free at last, free from you
Free from the Past, freedom at last
What is life, other than a cage to me?
Blackbird ,
Oh Blackbird
Blackbird Oh,
Blackbird
Now I rise
As the phoenix escapes from me
Through the fire, through the flames
Making ashes out of me
I'm free at last, free from you
Free from the past, freedom at last
What is life , other than a cage to me?
I'm free at last, free from you
Blackbird
Oh Blackbird
Blackbird
Sing one last song for me
Blackbird
Oh Blackbird
Blackbird
Sing one last song for me
Felicia has called Macey so that she can hear her daughters song and the cheers from the crowd.
Noni brings Kaz on center stage with her as they give each other a passionate kiss with Noni saying : I love you too…. Hey, don't go away, Ok? …. Then throws herself into the cheering crowd who then carry her back into Kaz's out reached arms.
The movie Beyond the Lights ends but the love story only just begins. Noni finishes her sets of songs and can't wait to introduce Kaz to Felicia
Noni: Felicia , this is Kaz, the man that saved my life… he saw me when everyone else didn't
Felicia: Kaz… it's nice to meet you… you take care of this special girl
Kaz: I intend to … it's nice to meet you to.
Noni: Kaz…I've got a short press conference , will you come with me and then the night will be ours.
At the press conference the questions reverted back to the balcony and why she would contemplate what she attempted to do.
Noni: The fantasy girl that was put on display was a figment of the imagination…. a sex symbol to sell records,...that was never the real me…. I hated who I had become and it took the eyes of this wonderful man next to me to make me realize I was more than that …..
I no longer had to stay silent and the real me could be the singer that I am and to be loved the way I've always dreamed of. …
I love to sing and write songs and tonight you got a sampling of what's to come…. If you will excuse us we have a lot of catching up to do ….. Thank you
Kaz: The new you is taking charge… I like the new you
Noni: You said you loved me ….. now you just like me…. Which is it… Are you in this or not … you are the only person I want to be with… ever again.
Kaz: I love you… I didn't get on a plane for the hell of it…. I want us to be together…. You make my life better.
Noni: Let's go get something to eat and then we will resume where we left off in Mexico… What are you in the mood to eat?
Kaz: LA, I know…. London, I have no idea, you surprise me.
Noni has the driver bring them to an out of the way spot, were the food is good and she won't be recognized. Her new look makes her blend in more easily whereas the Glamore Sex Kitten Noni was spotted miles away. Kaz was pleased that their time was theirs . After Dinner they head back to Noni's suite at the Waldorf Hilton.
Kaz: This is different than Mexico …but your still Noni with the fame and …. I love you… but, but I'm concerned... we are in two different worlds….How are we going to make it work…. You're mom's words still stick in my head ,... I knock you off your game.
Noni: My game wouldn't be anything without you...My mom is no longer my manager,...I'm working on it to just keep her as my mother, but I'm not there yet…..What about your political aspirations… wouldn't I be a help to you in getting out the vote or would I be a problem for you?
Kaz: You fired your mom… when did that happen?…. Politics has always been more my Pop's dream than mine... i need you to be happy.
Noni: Your words stuck in my head, after Mexico she manipulated the record company to renegotiate the contract, whereby I thought I was going to be allowed to do my own songs, only it was designed to get Liam fired so she got even more power and was putting me exactly where I was ….. you were right… I had to take charge of myself… that's why I was at your place the last time I saw you…. I wanted to tell you but you appeared to have moved on ….. so I let you go even though my heart was crushed.
Kaz : Your mom dreamed of you here… My dad dreamed of me being President… He didn't think you were First Lady Material…. But he didn't want to hear what made me happy… You make me happy like no other, but , is that enough...I still don't know how we are going to make it work…. A cop and a superstar singer.
Noni: A cop and and singer made it this far…. Our love has already changed our lives for the better….. if we let what others dictate what we are to do … we won't make it… if we trust ourselves and love each other we will make it…. Enough talking for now…. I've missed making love to you.
Noni takes off her little black dress and lets it drop to the floor and then proceed to remove her bra and panties so Kaz sees what he flew all this way for. She then begins to undress Kaz kissing him, biting his bottom lip and French kissing him rubbing herself against him so his arousal and passion heightens.
He picks her up...places her on the plush bed and begins his adoration of her shapely body. Her petite breast though small are perfectly shaped with nipples that harden with each kiss Kaz places on them. His hands move to her thighs massaging and slightly touching her vagina to judge it's wetness. His kisses move down to her very wet vagina where his tongue begins to lick and move in and out making her labia lips limp with moisture and desire
Noni has missed her pussy getting this kind of attention, she begins to quiver with each lick. Her clit swells as each circular finger rub then being sucked on makes her stomach muscles contract and her anxiousness to feel his cock inside of her. She grinds her pussy into his face puts her over the edge in her first orgasm. She wants him inside of her
Noni thens roles Kaz on to his back where she begins her adoration of his cock. Stroking it, squeezing it, licking , and sucking it. Ever since Kaz's first plane ride, Noni knew how to ride that cock and loved his juices filling her inside. Each time they have made love they haven't disappointed each other. They are both satisfied she lays on his chest and snuggles in the comfort that she is once again safe in his arms and they both fall asleep.
In the morning after breakfast , they resume their conversation as to what next.
Kaz: How did you sleep?… I've just been watching you … filling my eyes with your beauty.
Noni: When I'm with you…. I'm so relaxed that I sleep like a baby…. How about you?
Kaz: What can I say, I've never been with anyone like you … you're amazing … there is no problem with our love making ….. but how do we make our schedules work... One thing we haven't talked about… Can you handle being with a cop…. I got shot at recently... breaking up a domestic dispute…. That same clown that you saw when you came looking for me was beating up his wife and she called me to help...A lot of cop wives can't handle it. When he shot at me... I wondered how long would I do this, especially if I didn't get to see you or if we had a kid that makes me have some second thoughts. I then knew I have to see if we had a chance.
Noni: I was raised with out a father,….. that sucks…" if we had a kid"….. Do you want to have kids with me?… where are we going with this….. This conversation has us talking about things that I wasn't even thinking about a month ago… I love you enough that I want this to continue
Kaz: How long do have to be here in London… I took a personal time , but just like Mexico, I have to get back.
Noni: I'm done here so we can go back to LA , whenever you want. After yesterday the paparazzi will be all over you to get the inside scoop… can you handle that craziness…. But I promise, you will never see me do what you saw before…. My body will only be for your eyes only.
Kaz: I can handle the paparazzi, but we still got a lot more to talk about…like bringing your mom back into your life… if we get married and have kids ….. they will need a grandma. When my mom left my dad … my grandparents filled a void.
Noni : " If we get married"….. Let's stop beating around the bush…..Do you want to marry me?….. is that the real reason you came here? …. if you do. My answer is yes,…I will marry you.
Kaz: From talking more to , yes, you will marry me….are you sure… I want no one else in my life…. But we haven't resolved all the other things affecting us.
Noni: I love you, I feel safe and secure with you… I don't want to be with anyone else….. I want to be your wife, I want that more than anything…. Everything else we will make it work.
Kaz: I can't afford those big diamonds you are use to…. But , I want to marry you
Noni: I don't need a big diamond, I don't even want a diamond… that simple wedding band will mean more to me than anything…. You wanting to marry me is all I wanted to hear….. Let's make the most of this very special day and let me show you my London…. I want you to know everything about me.
Noni has her driver bring them to all the usual tourist traps of London and then to those that aren't seen by many…. They drive by the very impoverished neighborhoods that Macy and Noni called home. Without a father and grandparents Macy did what ever she could to raise her black baby since they were outcasts in both communities, which made Macy mistrust everyone.
Kaz: Though your mother doesn't like me very much… you promise me you will also try to get her to be part of your life… my dad's bitterness kept my mother away from me and now that she is dead… there is a part of me that is missing…..I want our family to be whole and complete.
Noni: How did I get so lucky to find you?… I promise I'll talk to her….. what about your Dad…. He doesn't like me to much either.
Kaz: We will talk to them both and tell them how it is…..
Noni has the driver make one last stop at a little out of the way jewelry store where she and Kaz pick out very simple wedding bans that they each put on their fingers. Their actual ceremony will take place in LA, Since London requires a 21 day waiting period.
Their last Night in London is equivalent to their honeymoon night in that they have married each other and the only thing left is to make it legal in the eyes of God and the state.
The next day the 11 hour flight from London to LAX , is different than the one to London. The following words ring true for Noni and Kaz
"What was lost is now found, Broken hearts have now healed and what were two souls are now one"….
During the flight they also talk about their living arrangements, Kaz has a little house and Noni the ultra modern glass house that Macy is staying in….. Noni asks if they can live in his house and keep their life separate from the fame that the Glass house projects. She loved the closeness they had in Mexico, but realizes once they have kids they can get something bigger, but for now his house is perfect for them….. why upset Brutus … their Rottweiler.
At the house Kaz picks up his wife to be and carries her into her new house and allows her to explore his man pad.
Noni: I can make some changes, can't I? ….. this is so you, but now it's us… ok
Kaz: What ever you want as long as it's not over the top…. Simple is better.
The first step in their new life together has come off without a hitch… next up Macy and Captian Nicol
Kaz gets the cheers when he reports back to the police department in that TMZ has been showing him in London kissing Noni on stage and the speculation that they were married since they both are wearing wedding bands. Captain Nicol wants to be informed as to what his son has done.
Kaz: Pop come to the house tonight have dinner with Noni and I and everything will be explained.
Kaz informs Noni of tonights arrangements and suggests to Noni she invite her mother also ... they can inform both sides of this new family dynamics.
Noni: Kaz… one little problem , I like to eat but ,... I haven't learned how to cook, but I promise I will learn
Kaz: I'll bring home Chinese.
This dinner will be interesting in that when the four of them are together they will be surprised at what they will hear.
After the Introductions and they have eaten their Chinese entrees Kaz starts the conversation.
Kaz: To put the reports of us being married… we wanted to but London took 21 days notice and we both didn't want to do it without you two present since you are the only family we have.
Noni: I wanted us to ware the wedding bands, because as far as we are concerned we married each other but both of you have voiced your objections that we aren't right for each other and we are going to show you that you're wrong….. Mom , you think that Kaz has thrown me off my game and is jeopardizing the career that you built for me… Kaz inspires me… that song you heard in London was Kaz's inspiration for me…. He saw who I am… he kept telling you that I was in trouble and that I needed help… his love for me saved me….. he saved your daughter… he made me promise to make you my mother again because he wants our family to be whole
Kaz: Pop you don't think Noni is " First Lady Material"…. Pop she is the only first lady I will ever have…. She loves me more than I deserve to be loved… if I do ever go into politics or what ever I do she will be at my side all the way… that I know about her. When we go to get married in the coming week we want you both to be there and be happy for us. When we start having kids we want you two to spoil them rotten with grand parents love….. Noni said our kids will need a whole family's love and support.
Macy: I was blinded by ambition in making Noni who I thought she should but, never once asking her who she wanted… she was right to fire me as her manager because I need to learn to be her mother first… You saved her... you saw her and now you have saved us… thank you for giving me my daughter back…. She is all I have.
Captain Nicol : Noni from what I saw you admit on television….. that took a lot of guts… I have to admit I only judged you on your appearances of that rapper facade that wasn't the kind of woman I wanted my son to have… but he loves you … that is for certain…. So you have my blessing ….. If I may say …your more beautiful this way
Noni: for now we are going to be living here, away from all the glitz and glamor… I think I'm going to be able to write some great songs in this peaceful environment …. Thank you both Mom and Pop…. Captain Nicol is it okay if I call you Pop to since I've never had a real Pop to call.
Captain Nicol: I wouldn't expect anything less from a beautiful daughter like you.
Kaz: Same for you Mom
Macy: I'm having a hard time thinking of being called grandma… Everyone busts out laughing.
The simple ceremony takes place at Captain Nicol's church with out any of the paparazzi the wiser. Kaz and Noni Jean Nicol are legally man and wife and proceed to their little Mexican Motel in Cabo to continue the honeymoon they started in London. Continue they did... peaceful , tranquil and void of paparazzi cameras... Kaz ,Noni and Brutus have a honeymoon that they both dreamed of. Sleeping, making Love, walking the beach hand in hand, finding hidden beach hideaways and making love. Their bodies have learned to anticipate their desires of the moment... each touch... each kiss brings them to places that no one before them did. They love each other... love was never in the equation with prior relationships. Noni's fabricated romance with Kid Culprit was the epitamy of fakeness. Kaz was to caught up in the political appearances and being a cop that romance always took a back seat.
The first time they were here, they needed to find what they were looking for, in themselves and with each other. This time as man and wife they have the knowledge that what lies ahead is within their control... they will tackle it in the fashion they have learned to, honestly, and together, since destiny certainly brought them together.