Review of Bend It Like Beckham (2002) by Joel J — 07 Jan 2018

I chose this film thinking it was a sports story--one about teamwork, discipline and persistence. It is that, but its themes are far broader. Its focus is on cultural conflict--between generations, and between tradition and individuation.

But it is rich in material about relationships. There is fear, deception, misunderstanding, jealousy, anger, racial prejudice, and homophobia, but also friendship, compassion, love, and forgiveness. There is a convincingly strained romance between the heroine and a hero.

The whole package is wrapped in sympathetic humor and brought to a realistic resolution. This now one of my favorite movies.