Bend It Like Beckham

Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Frank Harper

An Indian family in London tries to raise their soccer-playing daughter in a traditional way. Unlike her traditional older sister, Pinky, who is preparing for a lavish Indian wedding and a lifetime of...( read more  read more... ) cooking the perfect chapati, Jess dreams of playing soccer professionally, like her hero David Beckham. Wholeheartedly against Jess' unorthodox ambition, her parents eventually reveal that their reservations have more to do with protecting her, than with holding her back. When Jess is forced to make a choice between tradition and her beloved sport, her family must decide whether to let her chase her dream--and a soccer ball--or follow a more orthodox path.

Flixster Users

70% liked it

Critics

85% liked it

PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

Released: August 1, 2003

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DVD Released: September 30, 2003

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Top Flixster Reviews


  • November 14, 2008
    Very cute.
  • July 13, 2008
    Great movie! I'm Irish remember haha love gym class
  • March 12, 2008
    03/08/08 Update: Just watched this again for the first time in, apparently, two years. This is really well done. Nagra is, with all sincerity, brilliant, and Anupam Kher as her father, Mr. Bhamra, is worthy of a supporting Oscar nomination. I rarely shed a tear when I ... ...( read more )
  • February 9, 2008
    One of the great Girl-power movies.
  • January 27, 2008
    Mr Beckham ought to be proud to have his name on such a great film.
  • July 1, 2009
    Who doesn't love this film? I mean football and Indians all in the one movie! Only drawback is Keira Knightly.

Critic Reviews


View more Bend It Li... reviews at RottenTomatoes.com
April 22, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

The movie isn't unwatchable. It's clumsily good-natured, the actors are appealing, and there are worse ways to spend two hours than looking at pretty young girls in shorts kicking balls. full review

April 3, 2003
Claudia Puig, USA Today

A rare amalgam of funny, sweet, action-packed and inspiring. full review

March 28, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Chadha's created something magical; an atmosphere of happiness and hope, in which we could all bend a ball like Beckham -- or like Jess. full review

March 14, 2003
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

While Chadha presents Jess and Jules as brave and independent 21st century women, the director then mistakenly gussies things up with a steady stream of shallow (and, for most girls, unattainable) sex... full review

March 13, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Just about perfect as a teenage coming-of-age comedy. full review

March 12, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Like Nagra and Knightley, the movie is a sweetheart. full review

March 12, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Bend It Like Beckham is supposedly a movie about youth; its biggest shortcoming is that it rarely feels young. full review

March 12, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Coming after Monsoon Wedding and My Son the Fanatic, Bend It Like Beckham seems like a step backward. full review

Comments


  • magdanecula2008
    March 13, 2009
    jonathan you are very ssexy
  • s11024286
    June 16, 2008
    dang!i love this movie and since i'm a female also into football..watching this movie just motivates me alot into playin' this game more and more....real great!! i've watched it over and over again and i never get tired of watching it.
  • peoplezpeoplesmile
    June 22, 2007
    I loved Bend it like Beckham, it was a really awsome, all the characters where good in this movie
  • atibari
    June 20, 2007
    Not so bad.
  • soccerstarten
    May 29, 2007
    oh wow, this movie is amazing!! i shud rele watch it again soon...
  • Iamahottie0660
    November 21, 2006
    This is my favorite keira knightley movie.I've watched it that much I know it word by word
  • sarahvisscher
    October 23, 2006
    its the best movie.
  • jeankitty09
    August 17, 2006
    omg like i loved this move so much but when i stared to watch more movies with Keira Knightley in them i loved this movie even more... i love her....
  • DONTxHATExMExCUZxYAxAINTxME
    August 9, 2006
    OMG! i DiDNT KNO THAT KiERA KNiGHTLEY PLAYED iN THiS MOViE! SHE iS LiKE MY FAVORiTE ACTiNG PERSON iN HiSTORY!
  • technicalflavor
    July 17, 2006
    The story is simple, completely unpretentious and has a few lessons for both adults and teenagers alike on how to go about what you want out of life!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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