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June 2003 |
Bend
it Like Beckham "Bend it like Beckham" was indeed a treat. Directed by Gurinder Chadha who also did "Bhaji on the Beach" and "What's Cooking" "Beckham" is a story of 18 year old Jess Parminder Nagra who is the younger sister in a traditional middle class Sikh family living in suburban London. Unlike her older sister Pinky Archie Panjabi who is engaged to a "proper Indian boy", fully embracing her role as a "traditional Indian wife," Jess devotes herself to football (soccer), plastering the wall of her room with posters of her hero, English soccer sensation David Beckham. Things begin to heat up hotter than a Vindaloo when Jess is discovered humiliating the local boys in the pick-up soccer game at the local park by Jules Keira Knightley, a fellow football fanatic who plays for the local women's team the Hunslow Harriers. Jules invites Jess to try out for a spot on the team and Jess impresses the coach, Joe Jonathan Rhys-Meyers who then invites Jess to join the squad. Jess' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bharma have other plans for Jess and they do not include football. Jess, however is not about to give up her passion without a fight. With the help of her sister, who is no stranger to the art of deception, Jess continues to play by pretending to have a Summer job. It would appear that Jess' chances of pulling this off are akin to scoring against an entire team by herself but if anyone can pull it off, it is the determined Jess. By the time the closing credits roll, the story becomes more complex than the recipe for Bengali Stew. Jess falls for Joe who is also the object of desire of Jules. Jules' mother Paula played by Juliet Stevenson who is already distraught at the fact her daughter is a tomboy has a meltdown of her own when she mistakenly misinterprets her daughters relationship with Jess as something more than friendship. Meanwhile, the team continues to rack up wins and they end up in the championship game, coincidently the same day as Jess' older sisters wedding. Joe makes a plea to Mr. and Mrs. Bhamra to allow Jess to play in the final game which will be attended by scouts from America. With her dream so close at hand, Jess comes to grips with the fact that her football playing days may be over. Or are they? This film will have you cheering young Jess right until the end and you will want to celebrate like it was a world cup victory. The film is full of hilarious dialogue, interesting sub-plots, on field action, and music that makes you want to dance. Young Parminder Nagra turns in a stellar performance and is undoubtedly a rising young star. Equally strong and equally worthy of praise are the supporting cast. The Snapper gives this film 4 Red Snappers Rating:
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A few short weeks ago I
found myself at a long time favorite hang out, enjoying a cold beverage
with the Movie Man. As I quenched my thirst with a frosty
glass filled with the hoppy persuasion the Movie Man worked on his
second ginger ale. I asked the Movie Man if he had seen any good
films lately and he told me he saw one of the best films he has seen
in quite a while, just the other day in fact. The film he was referring
to was "Bend it like Beckham." I have known the
Movie Man for quite some time and one thing is for sure, the
aforementioned words do not frequently fall from his tongue. With
the Movie Mans words still fresh in my mind, now several weeks old,
I set out to see this film.