BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

Year: 2002
USA: Fox Searchlight Pictures
UK: Helkon SK
Cast: Parminder K Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay Lewis, Frank Harper, Juliet Stevenson, Kulvinder Ghir, Ameet Chana, Shaheen Khan, Poojah Shah, Paven Virk
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Country: UK
USA: 112 mins
UK: 110 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for language and sexual content
UK Certificate: 12 contains moderate language and sexual references
USA Release Date: 12 March 2003 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 12 April 2002


Synopsis

What happens when you bend the rules to follow your dreams?

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a film about a teenage girl named Jess (Parminder Nagra) living in London who must make a choice between following the traditions of her Indian family or pursuing her dream of becoming a soccer sensation. Unlike her older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), who abides by her parents' wishes and marries a proper Indian boy, Jess aspires to achieve the success of her idol, soccer superstar David Beckham.

When she meets Jules (Keira Knightley), who also shares a passion for soccer, the two find the strength in their drive to be best. They take their talents to the field and lead their team to victory against all odds. When they both fall for their soccer coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), their friendship is tested. When their team prepares to face their toughest opponent, Jess must confront not only her loyalty to her best friend and her family, but ultimately herself.