Indian
films are currently in vogue, what with the legendary Bollywood
industry booming and the main stream success of Monsoon
Wedding. With her third feature movie, Bend It Like Beckham,
director Gurinder Chadha is flying the flag high.
Eighteen-year-old
Jesse just wants to play football, but her parents want
her to be a nice, conservative Indian girl. Kicking ball
around the park with the boys is the closest she gets to
playing 'real' football, until she is discovered one day
by Jules, who invites her to join the local women's football
club.
A new world is opened up to Jesse, who, before now, never
played on a real pitch. She also gets to meet Joe, the team
coach, whom she is smitten by.
Causing
much aggravation at home, Jesse continues her sporting passion
in secret so as not to upset her parents. When her mum catches
her in the park one day playing footie with the boys she
forbids her from playing again. After all, what would people
say!
Despite
the elaborate sneaking around Jesse is soon caught out and
forced to give up her dreams of being a female version of
David Beckham (who makes a very brief appearance). She also
manages to ruin her sister Pinky's wedding in the process
through a series of misunderstandings.
With
everything stacked against her, poor Jesse sees no way out
and resigns her self to the fact that she will go to law
school and marry a nice boy. Things work out for her though
and she does get to go to the ball, so to speak.
Film new comer Parminder Nagra plays Jesse and looks so
comfortable on the big screen you would think she's been
acting for years. She certainly outshone some of the other
more experienced cast.
If you have ever seen the BBC comedy The Kumars of No. 42,
then you will know the kind of hilarity to expect from the
various Indian characters, especially Jesse's mother (Shaheen
Khan). The funniest lines, however, are from Juliet Stevenson
who plays Jules' brash mum, Paula. She cannot fathom why
her daughter is not interested in boys and is forever trying
to get her to wear girlie clothes.
Bend It Like Beckham is a bit predictable but witty and
well written. Scenes such as family arguments and the wedding
finale are full of laughs. It also gives you an insight
into Indian culture.
Educating and funny, Bend It Like Beckham is released on
the 12th of April.
Verdict:
(3 stars out of 5)
Cert
12PG Running time: 113 minutes.
www.ShowBizIreland.com - © Copyright 2000 - 2012.