Bend It Like Beckham
Seen it?2002 | 112 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 26 times its budget, though it had a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Jerry Maguire or Is This Thing On?, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
0 wins and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$92 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 479K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Jerry Maguire
Saturday SpecialAnother sports romantic comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Bride & Prejudice Sunday Safe BetAlso from director Gurinder Chadha: a romantic comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Is This Thing On? Saturday SpecialAnother romantic comedy.
What a Girl Wants
Monday Morning MaybeAnother dramedy. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Wicked Little Letters Sunday Safe BetAnother dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Gurinder Chadha
- Parminder NagraJesminder 'Jess' Kaur Bhamra
- Keira KnightleyJuliette 'Jules' Paxton
- Jonathan Rhys MeyersJoe
- Anupam KherMr. Bhamra
- Shaheen KhanMrs. Bhamra
- Archie PanjabiPinky Bhamra
- Frank HarperAlan Paxton
- Juliet StevensonPaula Paxton
- Shaznay LewisMel
- Ameet ChanaTony