Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham. (2002). 20th Century Fox.
ASIN B0000AL9ZM
112 min
Format: DVD
Genre: Coming-of-age
Classification: Romantic comedy
Age level: Rated PG-13

Reader's annotation
High school student Jess is determined to follow her dream to play soccer and finds inspiration in watching David Beckham play, but her traditional Indian family just doesn’t understand her passion. However, she finds an understanding community and great deal of success when she starts playing soccer in a girl’s league.


Summary
Jess, played by Parminder K. Nagra, doesn’t fit in with the women in her traditional Indian community who love feminie clothes, cooking and aspire to be married. Jess is a huge fan of David Beckham and wants to play soccer herself. She secretly joins a girl’s team coached by an encouraging young man, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and befriends teammate Juliet, played by Keira Knightly, who has similar conflicts with her mother over her interest in sports. Soon the team is on a winning streak and Jess’s secret is out in a big way. Bend It Like Beckham is an inspiring, fun movie about following your dreams.

Notes
Though it seems the days of discrimination against girls playing sports is long gone, that isn’t always the case. Bend It Like Beckham shows how stereotypes against girls who play sports still exists, in a humorous, light-hearted way that still rings true.

Awards and honors
BAFTA: Best British Film nominee, 2003
Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) nominee, 2004