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They are Jess (Parminder Nagra), a Sikh girl whose family
doesn't want her to follow her dream of becoming a professional
soccer player, and Jules (Keira Knightley), whose mum loathes
the idea of her girl doing sport.
Jess is an exceptional soccer talent and enjoys her time
kicking the round ball in the park with a friend. While at
home she practises non-stop and then retires to her bedroom
- a shrine to David Beckham.
If you don't know who Beckham is he is the England soccer
captain, captain of a minor club called Manchester United
(pussbuckets) and Mr Posh Spice.
Jules is also a fantastic player who has her eyes set on
professional soccer in America and she notices the Indian
girl in the park.
Eventually, Jules persuades Jess to join the local girls'
team the Hounslow Harriers. Of course it all has to be kept
secret from Jess's dad (Anupam Kher) and even more so from
her mother.
Add into this doomed subterfuge cultural clashes, excellent
characters, an entertaining script and story, a great cast
and soccer - and you have an absolute belter of a movie.
Both Nagra and Knightley are superb, although it's fair to
say that the former has the more interesting role. Her struggle
with juggling the expectations of her Indian heritage with
her aspirations as a modern girl in Britain is winningly played.
I also had a really soft spot for Jess's dad - played with
understated dignity and control by Anupam Kher.
Another star of the movie is the music and if you don't fall
under the spell of the infectious dance numbers then ... you're
dead!
The transfer is excellent and the sound makes full use of
the rear speakers.
Bend It Like Beckham is a must-see heartwarmer. My
only complaint is that did she really have to follow that
erk Beckham or MU? There are much better teams around.
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 75%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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