Movie Cosmos - Bend It Like Beckham

Description:

Jess Bhamra, the daughter of a strict Indian couple in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are seen by Jules Paxton, who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe.

Top Cast >

Parminder Nagra

As Jesminder 'Jess' Kaur Bhamra

Keira Knightley

As Juliette 'Jules' Paxton

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

As Joe

Anupam Kher

As Mr. Bhamra

Shaheen Khan

As Mrs. Bhamra

Archie Panjabi

As Pinky Bhamra

Frank Harper

As Alan Paxton

Juliet Stevenson

As Paula Paxton

Shaznay Lewis

As Mel

Ameet Chana

As Tony

Pooja Shah

As Meena

Paven Virk

As Bubbly

Preeya Kalidas

As Monica

Trey Farley

As Taz

Saraj Chaudhry

As Sonny

Imran Ali

As Gary

Kulvinder Ghir

As Teetu

Harvey Virdi

As Teetu's Mum

Ash Varrez

As Teetu's Dad

Adlyn Ross

As Elderly Aunt

Shobu Kapoor

As Polly

Zohra Sehgal

As Biji

Ace Bhatti

As Nairobi Grandson

Tanveer Ghani

As Video Man

Nina Wadia

As Wedding Guest

Gary Lineker

As Himself

John Barnes

As Himself

Alan Hansen

As Himself

John Motson

As Commentator

Gurinder Chadha

As Woman in Park/Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Simon Clifford

As Cup Final Referee (uncredited)

Ray Donn

As Man at Airport (uncredited)

Andy Harmer

As David Beckham (uncredited)

Jeff Mirza

As Wedding Compere (uncredited)

Panayiota Panteli

As Cup Final Footballer (uncredited)

Gill Penny

As Victoria Beckham (uncredited)

Bill Ridealgh

As Man at Airport (uncredited)

Tony Wood

As Football Supporter (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Gurinder Chadha

Screenplay, Director, Producer

Ulrich Felsberg

Executive Producer

Nick Ellis

Production Design

Jong Lin

Director of Photography

Sara Neighbour

Set Decoration

Paul Mayeda Berges

Screenplay, Producer

Simon Franks

Executive Producer

Barbara von Wrangell

Line Producer

Zygi Kamasa

Executive Producer

Justin Krish

Editor

Carrie Hilton

Casting

Craig Pruess

Original Music Composer

Russel Fischer

Executive Producer

Guljit Bindra

Screenplay

Mark Scruton

Art Direction

Paul Ritchie

Line Producer

Liora Reich

Casting

Deepak Nayar

Producer

Ralph Holes

Costume Design

Lisa Collins

Painter

Guy Heeley

First Assistant Director

Carlos Domeque

Assistant Editor

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Playback Singer

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (6/10)

"Jess" (Parminder Nagra) and "Jules" (Keira Knightly) are friends drawn together by their love of football. The thing is, neither of their mother's are exactly enamoured of the idea. With her sister's marriage looming, and her mother married at fifteen, "Jess" is facing significant hostility from her mother (Shaheen Khan) whilst "Jules" is struggling to convince her own mother (Juliet Stevenson) that she's not going to end up a lesbian with tree-trunk thighs. There's little danger of the former though as both have the hots for coach "Connor" (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). As the girls' team becomes more successful both have to juggle their family's reservations, their own lives and their love of the game - which actually features very sparingly. There are a few titter moments now and again, but I found that for the most part this is just a film about stereotypes - real or imaginary - populated by some really mediocre acting and not greatly enhanced by some banal writing and the always wooden JRM. It's also quite curious that it's co-produced by BSkyB yet they used the BBC's "Match of the Day" presentation team and their legendary commentator John Motson to give the thing a bit of body. It's harmless fun, quite possibly inspiring girls to play the game and some parents to let them whilst reminding us of "Brand Beckham" at it's most potent.

2024-04-22