Bend It Like Beckham (2003)
82%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Inspiring, compassionate, and with a sly undercurrent of social commentary, Bend It Like Beckham is a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms
Bend It Like Beckham” is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and want to join a soccer team all at the same time. The film follows the story of a young girl who dreams of playing soccer, but faces obstacles from her traditional Indian family. The characters are all a bit over-the-top, but that’s what makes them so lovable. The acting is fantastic, and the footwork is even better. This movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports, comedy, and heartwarming stories. It’s sharper than a soccer ball and more uplifting than a game-winning goal.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Bona Film Group Heyday Films,
Distributor
Fox
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2003
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 52m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 12, 2003 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2003
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay Lewis, Frank Harper, directed by Gurinder Chadha, written by Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra, comedy, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Namrata Joshi, Nell Minow, Jumana Farouky, J R Jones, Derek Elley, Alan Morrison, Kanishk Devgan, Shannon Melero, Leigh Paatsch, B Ruby Rich, David Nusair, produced by Deepak Nayar, Gurinder Chadha, original language English, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR, Flat (1.85:1), Jesminder ‘Jess’ Kaur Bhamra, Mr Bhamra, Pinky Bhamra, Mel, Mike Paxton, inspiring, compassionate, social commentary, feel-good movie, soccer, Indian culture, European culture, self-discovery, acceptance, friendship, family, inter-culture relation, satire, lesbianism, racial jokes, women’s soccer, romantic feelings, coach Joe, organized soccer, semi-pro team, cultural values, England, London, university, streaming, rent/buy from $3.99
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Keira Knightley – Jules Paxton
Anupam Kher – Mr. Bhamra
Archie Panjabi – Pinky Bhamra
Shaznay Lewis – Mel
Frank Harper – Mike Paxton
Director(s)
Gurinder Chadha
Writer(s)
Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra
Producer(s)
Deepak Nayar, Gurinder Chadha
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (158) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (23)
The film caricaturises every character, save the lead players and their sympathisers, in the most obvious manner.
January 3, 2019 | Rating: 2/4
Namrata Joshi
Outlook
TOP CRITIC
Superb tale of a girl’s struggle for her dreams.
October 14, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
The acting is as nimble as the footwork.
August 1, 2008
Jumana Farouky
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Fine character work by Juliet Stevenson, Archie Panjabi, and Bollywood regular Anupam Kher makes this well worth seeing.
March 26, 2007
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
More rooted in small-screen sitcom than anything deeper.
March 26, 2007
Derek Elley
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Delightfully upbeat, it will send you back out onto the street grinning from ear to ear.
December 30, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
…a very earnest and uplifting exploration of the daughter of Indian immigrants who just wants to play some football.
March 30, 2021
Kanishk Devgan
Film Companion
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.
November 10, 2020
Shannon Melero
The Muse/Jezebel
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.
April 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Beckham pointedly punctures English, Indian, and immigrant foibles despite a few jokes that are broad enough to hit the side of a barn.
February 26, 2020
B. Ruby Rich
San Francisco Bay Guardian
Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has infused Bend It Like Beckham with a feel-good, uplifting feel that generally proves difficult to resist…
December 21, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Is satisfying and all the while entertaining to watch from start to finish…
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed…
Plot
Bend It Like Beckham follows Jess Bhamra, a young Indian woman living in London who dreams of playing soccer professionally, but faces opposition from her traditional family. With the help of her friend Jules, Jess joins a semi-pro team and navigates the challenges of pursuing her passion while also dealing with cultural expectations and romantic feelings for her coach.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Bend It Like Beckham.
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