 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bend It Like Beckham
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Superb tale of a girl's struggle for her dreams.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know there is an implied sexual situation between a couple committed to marrying each other. Homosexuality is discussed. Several of the under 21-year-old characters do have a beer or a glass of wine, however they drink responsibly and are of legal age in the UK/Germany, where the scenes take place. Jess hides her soccer playing from her family and lies to protect her secret.
What's the story?
Jess (Parminder K. Nagra) is the obedient daughter of her tradition-minded parents who have mapped her life's flight path from law degree to Indian husband to perfecting her ability to cook 'aloo gobi'. They have also allowed her to develop her natural soccer playing talents by turning a blind eye to her practices in the park with her best friend, Tony (Ameet Chana). When Jess' older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), prepares to get married, their parents decide that it is time for Jess to settle down. Just as they are telling Jess to curb her sports pursuits, she is offered the opportunity to take her playing to the next level.
Is it any good?
Spunky and easy to watch, this feel-good movie bridges the distance between old country and new with the deft touch of a David Beckham penalty kick. For any girl whose athletic endeavors were ever questioned by conservative parents, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a color-drenched fairy tale where you know from the opening credits that the story will end in the "happily ever after" category for our plucky heroine. Yes, this sunny little movie is about second generation Indian families in England striving to maintain traditions that kids, more British than Indian, find increasingly irrelevant. However, no matter what your cultural background, the central theme that you should follow your bliss no matter what the hurdle is universal.
While the story might not seem strikingly original, the color-drenched tones of the movie, the over-lit action scenes and the genuine appeal of the characters, especially Jess, make this film a welcome repast, engaging and entertaining from the first moment to the last. Even if the answers seem a bit pat, it is nice to think that complicated relationships and challenges can be resolved with the proper communications and the ability to make nice, round chappatis.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Jess feels she cannot talk to her family about her love of sports and how she defends her subterfuge.
How does her father's cricket experience impact his view of Jess' soccer playing?
What might be the common bond between Irish Joe and Indian Jess?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Bend it like Beckham is a wonderful story about a teenage indian girl whos dream is to play soccer. And when she plays soccer she wants to be and feel as good as Beckham a famouse soccer star. When her mother sees that her daughter is still playing soccer even though it is against there religion she bands her from playing soccer. Now this indian girl must find a way to live her dream without her mom finding out........ The movie was overall very good there was some very brief sexy content and talks about sex and homosexuals (lesbians). Also some people get drunk there also is some yelling and some strong themes. Also on top of that there is some pritty iffy language here and there. At the beggining the indian girl lyes to get her way and gets herself into trouble and unhappiness. But in the end she learns lying never solves problems and its not the way to make your dreams come true. I give this movie 4 stars and say that it is a bit iffy for 10 for some strong themes, language, and some sexy stuff that may be stretching the limit for some 10 year olds.
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AGE
Tons of fun!
I'd be the first to admit that this movie isn't the best, but personally, it's one of my favorites. I love the Indian culture, I love England and I love soccer/football, and the combination of all three makes this a score for me. The movie sets the parameters as a not particularly deep but heartwarming comedy, and sticks to them all the way through. And the acting was surprisingly good. All in all, an offbeat but excellent movie! I'd say that the inappropriate content would probably go over most kids' heads, but that it's more enjoyable if you're 12 or so.
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AGE
An Indian "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but with a much richer story
I loved this movie in so many ways! It was funny and playful and yet deep and thought provoking. It was a great Dad and daughter movie - a real departure from the stereotype of the rigid Indian father. It deals with the divided loyalties that 1st generation immigrant kids often face in wanting to be of two worlds - respectful of their cultural heritage but determined to make lives that are uniquely their own and different from their parents. The light touch that the Director uses in dealing with cultural and gender differences is wonderful. I took my 9 year old soccer-loving daughter to see it. I must admit there were moments in the film (kissing scene at a nightclub, a brief groping makeout scene in a car) when I squirmed because it felt a bit too mature for her, but all in all I'm glad we went.
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AGE
A great mother/daughter movie - opens the path to communication and discussions
As with many movies of this nature, my daughter and I watched it together. In doing this, we are able to discuss any situation or concept that appears which in-turn opens the lines of communication to what might be otherwise difficult for my daughter to ask. We both loved this movie and felt that the characters were great role models, not only in their emotions and lives, but in their desire to make their families happy, as well as themselves. We still watch it time and again and continue to discuss different ideas and concepts as my daughter grows older and has new questions. We still quote many lines from this movie, that would have otherwise been uncomfortable for my daughter; however, we were able to discuss them and now we joke about them!
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AGE
Uplifting and engaging
This is a wonderful coming of age movie with interesting cultural aspects. It is well acted and is an excellent choice for young teen girls even if they don't play sports. Cast includes Kira Knightly.
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AGE
great movie about a girl that struggles to pursue her dreams
This is my FAVOURITE movie of all time
very good, but it makes me want to play soccer everytime i see it.
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AGE
This is a great movie for soccer players and everyone else!
This movie about a girl named Jess who loves soccer. The only problem is, her parents don't want her to! She sneaks out of the house in order to practice with her friend Jewel's team. Unfortunately, Jess's parents find out and Jess is banned from playing soccer! Then after watching Jess suffer, her dad finally lets her play in her big game on her sister's wedding day! She scores the winning goal and then gets an offer to play on the women's soccer team and go to college at Santa Clara. Jess gets really excited and goes to college there with her friend Jewels. To find out more about her adventures, go see this great movie!
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AGE
Great movie for the whole family!! And I mean GREAT!!
I just watched this movie with my family, including my parents and my 11 year old sister, and it was a HIT! It was a fabulous tale with spunky and positive female role models, enough sports and amazing soccer for any guy to like, and positive messages and feel good lines thrown in along the way. Jess is such an amazing character with a real passion for soccer, but is intelligent as well. While her parents want her to follow a traditional Indian path and go to school, and then get married and fatten up a husband and children, Jess wants to play soccer, or football as they call it in Britain. And when her parents crack down on her to go to university, Jess is offered the oppurtunity to play on a girls soccer team, the first time she's played besides at the park. The ending is great, maybe not very realistic, but heart-warming and touching, and really makes you think about parenting, passions, and doing the right thing. An amazing movie!
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AGE
A wonderful, funny and profound movie for everyone.
Good story, feel good movie with subtle points. Should appeal to all ethnic groups. Clever and solid characters.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Gurinder Chadha |
| Cast: | Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keira Knightley, Pariminder Nagra |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 112 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 12, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | September 30, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language and sexual content. |
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