Starring: Parminder K. Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Anupam Kher
Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

I defy people to not like Bend It Like Beckham. Sure, the accents are thick and the story a little sappy at times, but it's funny and even poignant at times.

Jess (Parminder K. Nagra) is an Indian teen in London, daughter to traditional Indian parents who want her to fulfill their ideals of an Indian girl. But Jess is nuts about soccer (fine...football...). She has posters of Manchester United star David Beckham on her walls and plays with the boys in the park. Her parents believe this will bring shame upon their family and force her to stop playing. At the same time, Jules (Keira Knightley) saw Jess play in the park and approached her about joining the girls' team she plays for. Jess goes for it, but has to play in secret. Culture and generational conflicts arise, especially when she finds herself liking the team's coach, Joe (unintentionally played rather fruitilly by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).

There's a wedding, some crying, dancing, Indian music and foods...all the standards. Some people may be put off by the fact that this movie is unmistakably British but if you treat yourself to Bend, you won't be disappointed. It's funny but also interesting, showing how first generation children of immigrant parents have a tough time finding their way between their heritage and that of their place of birth. My only beef with the movie is the ending. I wouldn't have ended it in that way (cheesy...), but still, you can't go wrong.

DroopyMcC
Jack