Bend It Like Beckham

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Bend It Like Beckham

PG-13

Released Mar 12, 2003

1h 52m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

85%

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158 Reviews

73%

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250,000+ Ratings

Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), the daughter of a strict Indian couple (Anupam Kher, Shaheen Khan) in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are seen by Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley), who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe.

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Critics Consensus

Inspiring, compassionate, and with a sly undercurrent of social commentary, Bend It Like Beckham is a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

The film caricaturises every character, save the lead players and their sympathisers, in the most obvious manner.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 3, 2019

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Superb tale of a girl's struggle for her dreams.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2010

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Jumana Farouky

TIME Magazine

The acting is as nimble as the footwork.

Aug 1, 2008

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Kanishk Devgan

Film Companion

...a very earnest and uplifting exploration of the daughter of Indian immigrants who just wants to play some football.

Mar 30, 2021

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Shannon Melero

The Muse/Jezebel

For any film to be a great sports film it must have staying power, beyond ample training montages and a great comeback game, and Bend It Like Beckham has all of that in spades and more.

Nov 10, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

An unashamedly feel-good soccer comedy that is sharper than Cristiano Ronaldo's latest haircut, has better vision than your average linesman and is more uplifting than winning on penalties in extra time.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 17, 2020

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Ed R

Far too long of a movie. Terrible plot and now terribly outdated.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/24

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Arnold D

This is a generational classic that hits home on so many levels. The Re-Watch value in this film is ever present.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/28/24

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Michael W

This soccer movie was great. Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Archie Panjabi, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson, Frank Harper, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. This story about two teenage girls wanting to play professional soccer against their parents wishes was dramatic and inspirational. It's about fighting for what you want to do with your life and not end up like your parents. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's worth watching.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

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Foxface C

Very inspiring. Great Story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

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purplealchemist

Better than I thought! I had no expectations and no idea what this film was about going into it. But it's super cute! A nice way to introduce Indian culture to someone unfamiliar with it. All of the characters were fun. A good, fun, heartwarming movie with a little cheese on top.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

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Fille L

How are these punters such good storytellers? Like all of them! David's parents, friends. I enjoyed the pointed intention to juxtapose opposing opinions and recollections from the cast. Overall It's fun to watch but also appalling to learn what they went through. Im not a footie so it's always headscrathing the fanaticism of some nations--but especially UK--with it. I also thought England's fascination with David and his family was simply that, an English thing. Had no idea they used the poor guy as a scapegoat for all the ills of their country. No wonder he moved to LA. I'm starting to think the English are awful!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/05/23

Full Review

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Gurinder Chadha

Director

Parminder Nagra

Jesminder 'Jess' Kaur Bhamra

Keira Knightley

Jules Paxton

Anupam Kher

Mr. Bhamra

Archie Panjabi

Pinky Bhamra

Shaznay Lewis

Mel

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Synopsis

Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), the daughter of a strict Indian couple (Anupam Kher, Shaheen Khan) in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are seen by Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley), who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe.

Director: Gurinder Chadha
Producer: Deepak Nayar, Gurinder Chadha
Screenwriter: Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Helkon Media AG, Kintop Pictures, British Screen Productions, Film Council, Scion Films
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 12, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.5M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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