Rating: 
Summary: Girls Rule! Charming Teenage Comedy/Drama from England
Review: "Bend it like Beckham" is a very charming film about two girls in England, Jess an Jules, both of them aspiring to be football players. But the only problem is, that Jess Bhamra, who dreams of playing football with her idol David Beckham, belongs to a family moved from India, and the mother and father are not happy about her decision. And there are more events of life to come, which would eventually make the whole things much complicated, and that is a handsome coach named Joe who helps Jess persue her way.Culture-clashing comedy in UK is nothing new -- we have already seen "East is East" -- but what "Bend it like Beckham" offers is its charming leading roles played by Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley. Most incredibly, Keira Knightley was in one of the most commercially successful film called "Star Wars: Episode I," but, none of us probably remember her. (The reason concerns the way George Lucas used her, which I shouldn't disclose, so check it out for yourself.) What Hollywood people missed is here revealed fully on the screen -- in short, these girls are radiating with their natural charms, which are simply irrestible. The story is full of familiar moments and devices, we have to admit. But the fresh charms of the likable and lovable characters, and surprisingly effective turn from Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("Velvet Goldmine" and others) as understanding Coach Joe (cast against type) help greatly to make us forget some of the minor flaws found in the script (Juliet Stevenson's mother's portrayal is often embarrasing, for instance), and as a whole the film goes on always pleasantly. You will know, after a few minutes, that you cannot hate this film at all. The only complaint is its title, which might sound a little incomprehensible to non-football fans (and in that case you might not notice the cameos of ex-pro-footballers like Gary Lineker, former ace striker of England); well, but if you know a bit about this sport, you see the meaning of the title and its implication. David Beckham, star player of Manchester United (and husband to one of the Spice Girls), is so good at doing a freekick, and his techinique to bend the ball's course is really amazing. Like him, Jess changes her ball's course as is depicted in the film, and possibly her life, too.
Rating: 
Summary: Bend it like Jessie!
Review: Jessie has a problem. She is a young Sikh girl living in England who is also a very talented soccer player with an opportunity to play on a women's soccer team that is scouted by American scouts looking for women to play professionally in the United States. Her problem is that her family, however, is adamant that playing soccer is not one of the desirable qualities in a prospective bride, and insists that she instead give up playing soccer and concentrate instead on learning to cook Indian food. Thus the central conflict is one of the most unique and delightful films of the past few years is created. This is a movie with many, many excellent qualities, and not a few ironies. For instance, Jesminder Bhamra a.k.a. Jess or Jessie, the heroine of our story, is an exceptionally nice girl. Unlike many of the other Indian girls, she doesn't sneak off with guys and engage in sexual behavior that would outrage her parents. All she does is play soccer. Yet, time and again Jess is the victim of narrow-minded prigs, who constantly fantasize that she is doing things that she shouldn't. At times, it seems that she absolutely anything she does leads to misunderstandings and condemnations. Parminder Nagra, who plays Jess, is utterly adorable and loveable. If this movie engages you emotionally, it is because you feel so deeply her plight and the seeming impossibility of her situation. She is a girl who has a chance to become so much more than her peers, but who is constricted by a narrow and parochial understanding of the proper role for a girl. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who played the central character of Brian Slade in VELVET GOLDMINE, is Jess's coach. Keira Knightley, who starred as Lara in a recent TV version of DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, is excellent as the girl who first sees Jess playing soccer in the park and recruits her for her women's team, and who later becomes her friend. But apart from Parminder Nagra, no actor or actress adds as much to the film as the actress who portrays Jess's mother. Her hysterics, her despair over her uncooperative daughter who resists the role she has planned for her, her frequent emotional explosions provide many of the film's funnier moments. But as good as the supporting cast is, the character of Jess has to carry this film, and Parminder Nagra utterly succeeds in doing so. Apart from the central conflict of Jess versus the expectations of her family and community, the thing I enjoyed most about this film was the incredibly vivid and full picture of the Indian community in which Jess and her family live. The viewer really becomes a part of this very distinct world, and while the director clearly sides with Jess in her aspirations to engage in activities frowned upon by that community, he nonetheless treats it with tremendous understanding and affection. One of my favorite movies of the past year, and an absolute must-see picture.
Rating:
Summary: A great feel good movie.
Review: Bend it like Beckham has been explained by alot of the other reviewers, so i dont wannt to go to much into the name, but im going to start abit with David Beckham. Becks is our most known sports person. He is married to Posh Spice, who he is usally in the tabloids with under there name 'Posh and Becks' and is also seen in the sexiest men awards and polls that seem to happen every week. He is also somebody who at the World Cup 98 got send off to our rivals Argentina, and with him being a major part of our team, we just couldnt cope with just 10 men, and we latter lost on penalties 5-4. This caused many tabloids to hate him, diss him, and some even tried to kidnap his son brooklyn. But the way he reacted to this, showing so much strengh made everybody love him, and has now become the nations favourite father and husband. He is so big in Europe and football(not soccer) countrys that recently people who are not even from England tried to kidnap his family, now with another son Romeo, and hold them for ransom. this was stoped by a taloid paper who was undercover on the operation, and the people have recently be sentenced. This is only a small part of Becks history. He is a nations hero, and this film was amde during the world cup 2002, when beckham and England would later face Argentina, beating them 1-0, from a goal which Becks scored. So with this name on the film, it was bound to sell tickets, but it deserved it on its own merits to. This is more of a description of becks ofcourse, but i hope it helps you know more about him, and his strange and very interesting story, and will let you be abit more opened minded about the film which ive heard some are unsure about as the title is unfamilar. Oh and 'Bend it Like Beckham' Is about the way he can kick the ball, once scoring from the half way line, one of the very few to ever do it, and the way he scores free kicks, making him the best free kick take in the world.
Rating:
Summary: classic indian feel good fun!
Review: I LOVED THIS MOVIE START TO FINISH!!! it helps if you come from an indian background like me, but if you dont, you'll still enjoy this! the characters are too good and so is the story! jess, jules, and joe are all refreshing and remind you of the youth of our younger or current years! watch this movie and see how indians bend it like beckham!
Rating:
Summary: "What did i do wrong in my past life?"
Review: What a wonderful rare treat of comedy and drama. I was very surprised that this British film was picked up by a major study like Fox. Thank you Fox! It's more than just a coming of age movie. It's about family, morals, friendship, love, endurence and achivement. Something that lacks in most movies not to mention most people. The acting is wonderful, the scenes in England and Germany are great mostly because they are my two favorite places for holiday. Great music score combinding American songs with Indian words. I only hope this inspires Hollywood to create more films like this and it proves again that you don't need sex and special effects to sell a film. It film acts on merit alone and does a wonderful job.
Rating:
Summary: I love it!!!
Review: I absolutely loved this movie!! With a mix of humor and the normal troubles of teenagers I was mesmerized throughout the whole movie. I loved learning about Jess, the main character and her indian culture. I would definitely recomend this to anyone who wants to see a very, very good movie.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one!
Review: This film hasn't been given a wide release, nor has it been heavily promoted, but don't let that stop you from finding this hidden gem. You will find yourself smiling from start to finish, and you will leave the theater feeling good about life. The film's cast may not be well known, but they do a fantastic job. They play their roles with such sincerity that you really just want everything to work out for them. That may sound somewhat simplistic, but how many movies can you really say that about? Take a chance on this movie and you won't regret it for a second!!
Rating:
Summary: cant wait
Review: bend it like beckham was one of The greatest movies i have ever seen. i recomend this movie to everyone... almost everyone can relate one way or another. its hilarious with twist and turns. casting-great. its so unfair that it came out in the us so late! its already out on dvd in the uk! when was the last time the us came out with such a successful and hilarious movie? well big fat greek wedding...but thats gotten old, and played out, and thats the only good movie here, but bend.i.l.b makes my big fat greek wedding like nothing! the movie is great, it couldnt of been casted, or perfected in any way more than it already was...i may just have to fly over to london myself and pick up a copy, i cant wait a whole year to own this film!
Rating:
Summary: Jess, Jules and Joe are hilarious!
Review: I recently saw Bend It Like Beckham and have to say it is one of the most fun movies I have seen in a long time. Though one could compare the movie to Monsoon Wedding or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it would be an insult to Beckham. This movie is incredibly original with its hilarious, very British script and excellent acting. My friends and family, all with very different tastes in entertainment, were laughing and crying together (I know - corny...). It is a great movie that I am reccommending to everyone I know. Go see it.
Rating:
Summary: Posh and Becks
Review: In England, David Beckham is a sports hero comparable in the United States to a combination of Michael Jordan, Dan Marino and Mickey Mantle all rolled into one. Football in England means S-O-C-C-E-R.
Jesminder (Parminder Nagra) is a Soccer fanatic, a major fan of "Becks" (David Beckham) and a genuine talent at playing soccer. Her family is not at all thrilled at the thought of their daughter on the soccer field, bare legged and sweating playing the game of football.
But Jessminder can't help herself: she's not only talented but driven and nothing can stop her from playing even if that means lying and hiding to do so.
Director, Gurinder Chadha directs carefully balancing Jesminder's strict, traditional life with that of the "real" world: boys, booze and sports.
Ultimately, the decision to play soccer or not is placed on Jess' shoulders and, in the end, she chooses what is right for her. "Bend It" is all about personal choice and how it affects our standing as individuals and our personal worth. Making a decision and sticking by it is more important than the actual decision itself.
"Bend it Like Beckham" is important because it validates the outsider, the minority: one whose choices are seemingly narrow because of preconceived notions about her race, color or sex. Jesminder is a winner because she doesn't allow society to place limits on her potential and because she chooses to be one despite all the roadblocks that stand in her way.
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