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Amazon.co.uk Review
The film draws interesting parallels between the two girls, one British and one Asian, highlighting that although their colour may be different many of their ideals are the same. Jules' British mother is no less horrified by her daughter's natural talent in soccer than Mrs Bhamra, and even mistakes one embrace between the girls as a lesbian relationship. Refreshingly, though, for once the parents are not portrayed as unreasonable: their disapproval of Jess' chosen path is a result of their concern for her, and in the end they can't help but to give in to her dreams. All in all, this is a film that shows the meaning of being British Asian today--and how it is possible for Asian girls to make round chapattis as well as to bend it like Beckham. --Anika Puri
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A major focus of the film is Jess tackling her family's adversity to her playing football. Her parents want her to get married at age 17/18, to a "good Indian boy" and her Mum wants Jess to learn how to cook a "full Indian meal".
Another theme of adversity, although one not given much focus, is racism. This spans Jess's father recounting his negative experience with an amateur English cricket club; Jess explaining her parent's insistence that she can only marry an Indian boy - not white, black or Muslim; the coach mentioning that's in being Irish he encountered racism as a player, and Jess being called a "Paki" by an opponent.
The football scenes are great fun, and there's plenty of comedic moments in the film. The scene near the end - at Jess's parents house, where they grant her permission to go to America - is a tear-jerker. Plus something happens at the airport to complete a feel-good ending!
On top of all this are excellent contemporary references of that 2001/2002 era, to Spice Girls ("there's a reason why Sporty Spice is the only one without a fella!"), David Beckham in his Manchester United days, and the short-lived professional women's football league within the USA.
Great film. Great fun.
The story isn't perhaps the most original creation, but the merit of the acting is that it has you caring about what happens to the characters. Parminder Nagra is particularly good, although I thought Keira Knightley wasn't so skilled at handling the obligatory twists in her role. The direction is adept - particularly for the crowd scenes (the football games, the parties, the wedding). And the soundtrack - an exciting mixture of bhangra and Western music (though I must have missed Victoria Beckham's contribution) - is really well matched: one of my favourite parts was the use of the impossibly exhuberant "Move On Up" during a montage of the team training, which almost made me want to jump up and start kicking a ball around the room myself. Almost.
In a way I find this movie very close to my heart. As I am Sikh, I am female, I love football, I support Liverpool [Come on you reds] and I used to play football [Not Hounslow Harriots] Slough Town. The only difference is my family supported me all the way but I never made it pro but I still love the game. A lot of my footballing buddies were in that movie as extras which made it even more special.
Some of the things said in the scenes were very close to reality: Parminder going on about what kind of reaction her family will give to out side cultures very any other director could have got it horribly wrong but because Gurinder has the ability to do it in such a tongue and cheek manner she gets away with it.
And Southall Broadway on the big screen… well I never thought I’d see the day. The girls in the park perving on the guy’s great role reversal on the sexes.
This is by far her best movie and has introduced the world to some fresh British Blood. Including: Archie Punchabi, Parminder Nagra, Keira Knitley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. All of the actors have become successful. Archie now stars in BBC three’s Grease Monkey’s, Parminder now stars in ER, Keira has continued to star on the big screen so has Mr Meyers. This movie was a great stepping stone for everyone involved. The only thing that ticked me off about it was the title [Bend It like Beckham.] But I no I no the title gave it a wider appeal due to Beckham’s name, which means more capital. But at the end of the day this is a great British Punjabi movie, so I have no complaints.
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