Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

  • 85% of critics liked it
    (148 reviews)

  • 69% of users liked it
    (448,109 ratings)

An independent-minded young woman discovers the joys of football, much to her family's chagrin, in this upbeat British comedy drama. Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra) is an 18-year-old growing up in West London, where her family has taken every effort to stay in touch with its Indian heritage.… More

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PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra, Paul Mayeda Burges, Paul Mayeda Berges
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Aug 1, 2003 Wide
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Jumana Farouky, TIME Magazine

    The acting is as nimble as the footwork.

  • J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

    Fine character work by Juliet Stevenson, Archie Panjabi, and Bollywood regular Anupam Kher makes this well worth seeing.

  • Derek Elley, Variety

    More rooted in small-screen sitcom than anything deeper.

  • , Time Out

    Nagra and Knightley have winning personalities, but credit should also go to writer/director Chadha for getting the balance right between humour and pathos, and sporting and romantic action.

  • Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

    Every generation has to discover the same clichés that were drummed into previous generations, and kids could do worse than to learn them from this film.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Graham W


    A funny and uplifting tale about self discovery and acceptance. An enjoyable watch for the whole family, can be enjoyed by football fans and haters alike.

  • Film C


    A thoroughly enjoyable movie thats worth a watch! Nice to see us Brits have still got it!

  • Lewis C


    Bend It Like Beckham is a fun movie about a British Indian girl named Jess (Parminder Nagra) who loves the game of soccer more than anything, but is encouraged by her traditional parents to abandon her passion and focus on other areas of her life, like finding a husband. She lies and… More

  • Bethany M


    Amazing! One of my all time favourite films!

  • Candy R


    An Indian teenager Jess wants to play football like her hero Beckham. She plays for a local women's team in secret from her traditional family. A young Keira Knightley plays her friend.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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