BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (2002)

REVIEW

This intelligent and funny film has emerged from across the pond with the power to entertain a wide variety of audiences.

Jess (Parminder K. Nagra) is a lovely 18 year old, the daughter of parents who immigrated to Britain from India. Jess has just taken the equivalent of U.S. high school final exams and is awaiting her marks. Her sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), is engaged to be married and everything is focused on this event. To her mother’s dismay, Jess loves to play soccer in the park with the guys. Her bedroom is covered with posters and memorabilia of Manchester United star David Beckham. One afternoon, a girl named Jules (Keira Knightley) scouts Jess for the local girls’ soccer team.

Jules’s mother, played by the always excellent Juliet Stevenson, doesn’t forbid Jules to play. But she doesn’t understand soccer, thinks it’s inappropriate for her daughter and wants her to be more feminine. As the summer progresses, Jess and Jules become friends and both fall for their handsome coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).

Jess’s mother only wants her to learn to cook Indian food and find a suitable husband. But Jess lies about playing soccer and sneaks out at every opportunity to play. At a party following a match in Germany, Jess drinks a little too much and makes a pass at Joe. Her friendship with Jules disintegrates over a misunderstanding.

There are many misunderstandings in this romantic and family comedy about culture and what parents want for their children and what the children want for themselves. Over and over, characters think they see something and jump to conclusions. Indeed, this is what keeps the film moving along to its inevitable happy conclusion.

The British accent is somewhat challenging in the beginning of the movie, but Beckham is worthwhile because it explores issues with so much charm and humor: race, bigotry, understanding, the Fourth Commandment, reconciliation, body image, gender identity, tolerance, ethnic culture and so forth. It also helps if you like soccer. Mild problem language and sexual references; recommended for teens and adults.

To watch more movies like BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (2002) visit Fmovies.

Also watch

• The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
• THE UPSIDE OF ANGER (2005)
• Chopper (2000)
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
• Daughters of Darkness (1971)