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The title of the film refers to England’s famous soccer player,
David Beckham, and his ability to “bend” a soccer ball, but the
film is much more than that. It’s about family relationships, it’s
about sexuality, and it’s about one's determination to live her life, her
way, and not her family’s. At a time when multicultural films are
doing well at the box office like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, audience
are more likely to see this film and feel very relaxed and upbeat.
Directed and co-written by Gurinder
Chadha, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a delightful film filled with
some humor and good acting.
Playing a sport and trying to be the best at the game is one thing,
but when your family thinks it inappropriate for a female to do
so is another. Such is the case for Jess, short for Jeswinder. She
loves the game and idolizes its star player David Beckham so much
that her bedroom wall is like a shrine to him. Living in London
and coming from a conventional Sikh family has its ups and downs.
For one thing her family is very loving and supportive of what Jess
does, so long as it follows in the tradition of Sikh women. Playing
soccer is not the cards so says her parents (Anumpan Kher & Sheheen
Khan). When another soccer player, Jules, played by Keira Knightley,
sees how good Jess plays and invites her to join her local soccer
team, Jess can’t resist. Afraid to tell her parents, Jess enlists
some help from her unknowing sister Pinky (Punjabi), who’s about
to be married. Meanwhile, Jules, who’s English, is facing
a similar crisis at home as well. While her mom (Juliet Stevenson)
is also supportive of her daughter, she does wish Jules would be
more into feminine things like a women’s bra, not an athletic bra,
and maybe get a boyfriend. Both Jess and Jules love the sport and
have become fast friends. Their coach Joe (Rhys-Meyers) encourages
them to play to their potential because scouts will be coming to
their games and offer scholarships. For Jules, it’s about the game
and for Jess, it’s also the same thing, but she also wants the respect
from her family, which won’t be so easy when they want her to follow
traditional roots.
Who says sports films are meant for guys only? With the rise of
women’s professional sports in basketball and now soccer,
the audience has widen. What’s amazing about this film is that Director
Chadha is able blend in both cultures marvelously with some humor
and emotion. The acting is great all around. Parminder Nagra is
a true find. Underneath these Puma wearing athletes are women who
are out to show the world that they can play just as well as the
men. Juliet Stevenson is a riot. Her comedic timing is just perfect
for her scenes. Rhys-Meyers adds to chemistry that's between the two leads.
With the success of the foreign film “Monsoon Wedding” last year,
films embracing the Indian community are starting to have a crossover
appeal. Filled with some pop music by Victoria Beckham and Melanie
C (former Spice Girls) and some Indian music by Gunjan, the music
in the film is very good and has a diverse mix of talent. Already
a hit in England and other parts of the world, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM
is a charming, upbeat comedic film that should please all. A definite
must see.
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