A comedy about bending the rules to reach your goal, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM explores the world of women's football in the West London suburb of Hounslow. Paminder Nagra stars as teenager soccer whiz Jesminder whose parents are keen for her to hang up her football cleats, find a nice boyfriend, and learn to cook the perfect chapatti. Enter Kiera Knightley - the scrawniest footballer in history - who enlists Jes to play in a local women's league, much to the horror of her parents, especially her father, wonderfully played by Anupam Kher.
Director Gurinder Chadha and her team of screenwriters keep the pace light and fun, making sure Jesminder's cultural conflict never strays from the boundaries of the comedic realm. A romantic subplot with Jes's Irish coach, played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, is less successful, and seems to intrude on the message of individuality and self-esteem.
Luckily, the pacing of the movie is breezy and fast, and any moments that serve to slow the movie down don't last long. BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a winner.
Director Gurinder Chadha and her team of screenwriters keep the pace light and fun, making sure Jesminder's cultural conflict never strays from the boundaries of the comedic realm. A romantic subplot with Jes's Irish coach, played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, is less successful, and seems to intrude on the message of individuality and self-esteem.
Luckily, the pacing of the movie is breezy and fast, and any moments that serve to slow the movie down don't last long. BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a winner.