Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Gurinder Chadha

Writers:

Gurinder Chadha (written by) &
Guljit Bindra (written by) ...

Release Date:

1 August 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Who wants to cook Aloo Gobi when you can bend a ball like Beckham?

Plot:

The daughter of orthodox Sikh rebels against her parents' traditionalism by running off to Germany with a football team (soccer in America).

Plot Keywords:

Running | Indian | Soccer | Sikh | Team

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 17 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Parminder Nagra	...	Jesminder 'Jess' Kaur Bhamra
Keira Knightley	...	Juliette 'Jules' Paxton
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Joe
Anupam Kher	...	Mr. Bhamra
Archie Panjabi	...	Pinky Bhamra
Shaznay Lewis	...	Mel
Frank Harper	...	Alan Paxton
Juliet Stevenson	...	Paula Paxton
Shaheen Khan	...	Mrs. Bhamra
Ameet Chana	...	Tony
Pooja Shah	...	Meena (as Poojah Shah)
Paven Virk	...	Bubbly
Preeya Kalidas	...	Monica
Trey Farley	...	Taz
Saraj Chaudhry	...	Sonny (as Saraj Chaudry)

Also Known As:

Kick It Like Beckham (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content.

Runtime:

112 min | Spain:115 min

Country:

UK | Germany | USA

Language:

English | Punjabi | Hindi | German

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/6 | Chile:14 | Spain:T | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:6 (Steiermark) | Brazil:Livre | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Iceland:L | India:U | Ireland:12PG | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38936)

Filming Locations:

Contessa Lingerie Shop, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Kintop Pictures

Trivia:

The actresses were coached by Simon Clifford, who runs Futbol De Salao, a Brazilian soccer school.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the match where Jess and Jules aren't getting along, Jule's hair is held back by a metal headband, except in one close-up where it is held back by a thick, black headband. It then goes back to the metal headband. Then in the final game Jules is wearing the black headband again.

Quotes:

[Re: Jesminder's breasts]
Dressmaker: Don't worry, Miss Bahmra. Our designs will make even these little mosquito bites look like juicy, juicy mangos!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out (#6.8)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Move On Up

A southern East Is East

The title of this film nearly put me off watching it. Not being a Manchester United fan, the mere mention of Beckham was a bit off putting, however I put my prejudices behind me and I'm glad I did.

I wasn't expecting much of a film, but I was pleasantly surprised. The film sped along with me never looking at my watch and I enjoyed every second of the film. If you liked East is East then you'll love this film. OK so the storyline is nothing new, and the classic storylines are contained within the film but it's all done very funnily, and with a breath of fresh air. The film moves very fast and keeps the audiance entertained. The occaisional funny moments are a good chuckle and not some poor attempt at humour, and best of all it's a good british comedy.