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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
Bend it Like Beckham
Rarely is there a film about soccer. Sure, we have plenty of films about basketball, baseball, and football. And most of those are about men or boys playing the sport. Bend it Like Beckham is unique. It's about a young woman who wants to play soccer. It's her life. She has pictures on her wall of famous soccer players, including her hero, real-life soccer player David Beckham. She dreams about playing the game. And she's very good at it. There's only one real problem. Her family is Indian and there's a culture clash between what a proper Indian girl should do, and what Jess wants to do with her life.
The story takes place in England, and it is a colorful tale about desire, family, goals, and traditions. Jess is stuck in a hole. With her older sister getting married, she is now expected to learn how to provide a proper home for her future husband. But she isn't interested in that. All she wants to do is play soccer. When she joins an organized women's team, Jess is forced to sneak out of her house to attend practices and matches. Her family does not understand that she is not happy unless she is playing soccer. Oh, and there's one more thing. She is falling for her coach, which wouldn't be too bad except he is white. That might be a little too much for her family to handle at one time.
This is a very entertaining film. It's charming and heart warming, and brings the Indian culture to the audience. This little gem is a delight. Can Saris and soccer balls exist peacefully in one household? Even though audiences might commiserate with the parents and their hold on tradition, everyone will be rooting for Jess as she tries to figure out life, love, and herself.
© 2003 Francine Brokaw
All pictures ©2003 Fox Searchlight. All Rights Reserved.
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