Director : Gurinder Chadha
Writer : Gurinder Chadha
Starring : Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightly, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Happy monday to you all, This week I've chosen one of my childhood favourites.
Bend It Like Beckham is a film that I used to watch on an almost fortnightly basis. When I recently re-watched the film for what might be the 100th time in total, I found myself looking at it in a completely different light. What I used to see as a fun comedy, which of course it is, actually holds a wonderful message and tackles some serious issues at the same time.
Bend it like Beckham looks at how an obsession for football completely changes the lives of a traditional Indian family living in Hounslow. Being a Sikh Indian herself, Chadha and her predominately Indian cast (which features some very strong performances) bring all the wonderful sounds, traditions and colours of the Indian culture which most of us know little about. One of my favourite images from the film is the shot of the backgarden of the Bhamra family (on which the film centres on) and its next door neighbour. They are two totally contrasting images, one of vibrancy and culture (the garden is playing host to one of the many events during an Indian wedding), the other a typical English women taking her clothes off the washing line. This isn't to say that there are none of these qualities in the English household, but the film shows that despite these differences in appearance, the two cultures, centre on love for family and friends and dreams for the future.
What I never properly picked up in past viewings is some of the acting talent on show here. Most notably Anupam Kher, who plays the father of Jess Bhamra, of whom the film revolves around, and Juliet Stevenson who is the mother of Jess's best friend Jules. Kher's performance is effortless and his love for his daughters and wife is totally convincing and heartwarming - especially his final few lines. "Two daughters happy in one day, what more could a father ask for". Stevenson is just laugh out loud hilarious, with some quality one liners such as, "it's your Indian friend from football" or "Get your lesbian feet out of my shoes!". Another wonderful moment comes when she is being taught the 'offside rule' in football using teriyaki sauce, posh french mustard and sea salt.
In this film its the parents of Bhamra who are by tradition and fear unwilling to take the leap with their daughter into the unpredictable world of a professional athlete. Its a situation which a lot of families face today with incredibly talented kids giving up education to chase a dream with no real backup to fall on. The risk is huge, especially for Bhamra who has a place at university to study law. It posses an interesting question as how far are you willing to go to chase a dream that may end in nothing. When I was younger I had a chance to start taking tennis really seriously, whenever I watch tennis now I think of what could have been and honestly I do sometimes regret not really going for it, even though it was definitely the right decision. So in this sense I can connect to Jess's determination to succed as an athlete.
Onto the main theme of the film. Football. Here the film focuses on women's football something that its a hot topic for debate over the huge differences with the men's game, but Chadha has created a film that highlights all the truly unique qualities of the game. If you didn't already know I am a total football fanatic with my love seeming to scarily grow day by day. It may sound quite silly but football is not just a game to me its a way of life. Around the world there are millions if not billions whose lives in some way revolve around the beautiful game. Most of my friends who I hold dearest I have connected with because of football, think back to the playground, everyone awkwardly standing around, until someone brings out a football and suddenly there is an immediate connection between every person within a second.
Like for many football is an escape for Jess Bhamra, she tends to reveal her true feelings to a picture of a bald David Beckham stuck up on the ceiling of her room. Although these monolouges are slightly cringy, it does show how much football can be a way out of reality for many - with only one thing on your mind, the final score. I am lucky enough to be able to go to watch my team, Arsenal, every week, it's wonderful to be in a stadium with 60,000 other people, all united in the one desire. Football even helps in the hardest of situations, when my mum introduced me to my now step-father I honestly found it very hard to deal with him, but when he told me he was not only an Arsenal fan but had a spare season ticket, we had an instant shared passion which bonds us together to this day. Incidentally said season ticket see's me sit next to someone who has now become one of the people I value most in the world. All through Football. I think what I'm trying to say is that Football is something that brings people together who wouldn't know each other otherwise. Bend it like Beckham is the prime example of this.
Chadha's film made me laugh, cry and feel impassioned all in 114 minutes. Of course it helps that I'm a football fan, but I would like to think that this film is more about following your dreams. What I previously saw as a good fun sport film now represents something deeper, yes its not the greatest film ever made - there are bits where the film dips and some of the actual football highlights are totally ridiculous. But it incompases the massive passion we have for football, particularly in England, and the ways this wonderful game can affect all of us, no matter of gender, culture or race.
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for next monday. Remember to comment and share with your friends and family via social media. #jkfilmreview I would love a request for next weeks blog.
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