View source for Bend It Like Beckham

{{short description|2002 film by Gurinder Chadha}}
{{For|the 2015 West End musical|Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Bend It Like Beckham
| image          = Bend It Like Beckham movie.jpg
| alt            = Two sporty girls hugging.
| caption        = UK theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Gurinder Chadha]]
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paul Mayeda Berges]]
* Guljit Bindra
* Gurinder Chadha 
}}
| story          = Gurinder Chadha
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Gurinder Chadha
* Deepak Nayare
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Parminder Nagra]]
* [[Keira Knightley]]
* [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]]
* [[Anupam Kher]]
* [[Archie Panjabi]]
* [[Shaznay Lewis]]
* [[Frank Harper]]
* [[Juliet Stevenson]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Jong Lin]]
| editing        = Justin Krish
| music          = [[Craig Pruess]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* Kintop Pictures
* Bend It Films
* Roc Media
* Road Movies Filmproduktion<ref name="filmportal">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmportal.de/film/kick-it-like-beckham_913900c78c29443d84e9280579196c11|website=[[Filmportal.de]]|title=Kick It Like Beckham|access-date=13 August 2019|language=de|archive-date=24 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224181820/https://www.filmportal.de/film/kick-it-like-beckham_913900c78c29443d84e9280579196c11|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lionsgate UK|Helkon SK]]<ref name=bfi/> (United Kingdom)
* Highlight Film (Germany)
}}
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|2002|4|12|United Kingdom|2002|10|3|Germany|ref2=<ref name="filmportal"/>}}
| runtime        = 112 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 112:14--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bend-it-beckham-2002-4 | title=''Bend It Like Beckham'' (12) | publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=11 March 2002 | access-date=23 September 2016 | archive-date=29 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135742/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bend-it-beckham-2002-4 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* United Kingdom<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|title=Bend it Like Beckham (2002)|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86a48899|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620224618/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86a48899|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Lumiere" />
* Germany<ref name=bfi/><ref name="Lumiere">{{cite web |title=Bend It Like Beckham |url=https://lumiere.obs.coe.int/movie/18710# |website=[[Lumiere (database)|Lumiere]] |access-date=15 June 2025}}</ref>
}}
| language       = {{Plainlist|
* English
*German
* Hindi
* Punjabi
}}
| budget         = $5.6&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bend-it-Like-Beckham#tab=summary | title=Bend it Like Beckham (2002) – Financial Information | access-date=2 June 2022 | archive-date=2 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602102341/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bend-it-Like-Beckham#tab=summary | url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $76.6&nbsp;million<ref>{{mojo title|benditlikebeckham}}</ref>
}}

'''''Bend It Like Beckham''''' is a 2002 [[Sports film|sports]] [[comedy-drama]] film directed by [[Gurinder Chadha]] from a screenplay by Chadha, [[Paul Mayeda Berges]], and Guljit Bindra. The film stars [[Parminder Nagra]], [[Keira Knightley]], [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]], [[Anupam Kher]], [[Juliet Stevenson]], [[Shaznay Lewis]] and [[Archie Panjabi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=What the cast of Bend It Like Beckham looks like now|url=https://www.who.com.au/cast-bend-it-like-beckham-now|website=Who|date=4 September 2018|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311165716/https://www.who.com.au/cast-bend-it-like-beckham-now|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Bend It Like Beckham'', Jesminder Bhamra (Nagra) and Jules Paxton (Knightley) chase careers in professional [[Association football|football]] despite their parents' wishes.

Development for the film began after Chadha, Bindra, and Berges completed the screenplay by early 2001. Nagra and Knightley were hired soon after, with casting rounded out with the additions of Meyers, Kher, Stevenson, Lewis, and Panjabi by that May. [[Principal photography]] began in June 2001 and lasted until September, with filming locations including [[London]], [[Shepperton Studios]], and [[Hamburg]]. Production collaborated with [[The Football Association]], while the film's title refers to [[David Beckham]]'s [[Curl (association football)|curling]] [[free kick (association football)|free kick]] technique, also known as bending.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soccer: Bending the Ball |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/sports-fitness-recreation-and-leisure-magazines/soccer-bending-ball |website=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821143455/https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/sports-fitness-recreation-and-leisure-magazines/soccer-bending-ball |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bend |url=https://www.sportslingo.com/sports-glossary/b/bend/ |website=SportsLingo.com |access-date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821143455/https://www.sportslingo.com/sports-glossary/b/bend/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Bend It Like Beckham'' was theatrically released first in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2002 by [[Lionsgate UK|Helkon SK]]. The film surprised critics, who praised the screenplay, light-hearted tone, and commentary on [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] social norms and culture. ''Bend It Like Beckham'' grossed $76.6&nbsp;million at the box office, making it the [[List of highest-grossing sports films|highest-grossing football sports film]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=18 Winning Facts About Bend It Like Beckham|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76972/18-winning-facts-about-bend-it-beckham|date=2018-03-12|website=www.mentalfloss.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606104424/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76972/18-winning-facts-about-bend-it-beckham|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015 it was adapted into a [[Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical|stage musical]] that opened at the [[Phoenix Theatre, London|Phoenix Theatre]].<ref name="Bend It Like Beckham the Musical">{{cite web |url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/london-shows/show/item257817/bend-it-like-beckham-the-musical/ |title=Bend It Like Beckham the Musical |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728022353/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/london-shows/show/item257817/bend-it-like-beckham-the-musical |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Plot==
18-year-old Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra is the daughter of British [[British Indians|Indian]] [[British Punjabis|Punjabi]] [[British Sikhs|Sikh]]s living in [[Hounslow]], London. Jess is passionate about football, but her parents do not support her interest, preferring that she focus on academics. However, she sometimes plays in the park with boys, including her best friend, Tony, who is thought to be interested in Jess. Jess's family is occupied with planning for the upcoming wedding of her older sister Pinky.

Jules Paxton, a member of the Hounslow Harriers, a local women's amateur football team, notices Jess's football skills and befriends her, inviting her to try out for the team. The coach, Joe, a young Irish former player whose own career was derailed by injuries, accepts her into the team. Although Jess's parents forbid her to join the team, she continues playing in secret, claiming to have a summer job when she is actually at football practice. When Joe learns that Jess is on the team without her parents' permission, he pleads with Mr. Bhamra to allow Jess to play, but he refuses, revealing that he does not want Jess to suffer the way he did when he was excluded from a cricket club because of [[anti-Indian sentiment]].

With Pinky covering for her, Jess travels with the team to play a match in [[Germany]]; the Harriers lose the match after Jess fails to score a [[penalty kick]]. When they go out [[Clubbing (subculture)|clubbing]] in [[Hamburg]] after the match, Jules catches Joe and Jess about to kiss. This sours the two girls' friendship, as Jules is also attracted to Joe. Furthermore, Jess's parents find out she is still playing football after her father sees a newspaper article about the Hamburg match. After returning, Jess goes to Jules's house to try to reconcile their friendship but is rebuffed. Jules's mother, confused by overhearing parts of their argument out of context, thinks they are in a [[lesbian]] relationship.

Jess's father secretly attends one of her games and sees Jess mocked with a racial slur by an opposing player, and Joe hugging her afterward to comfort her. The Harriers qualify for the finals of the league tournament, but the championship match, with an American [[talent scout]] in attendance, is to be held on the same day as Pinky's wedding, so Jess resigns herself to missing the game. At Pinky's wedding, Jess is visibly miserable; her father tells her to go to the game so she can be happy on her sister's wedding day. The Harriers are behind 1–0 when Jess arrives, but they rally, and eventually, Jess wins the game with a free kick. The scout offers Jess and Jules [[Athletic scholarship|sports scholarships]] at [[Santa Clara University]] in [[California]]. Jules and Jess share a hug and kiss to celebrate, furthering Jules's mother's suspicions. Jess returns to the wedding, happy and able to celebrate. Jules heads to the wedding as well, being given a ride by her mother, who, upon arriving, confronts Jess and accuses her of being a hypocrite and a lesbian. Jules drags her mother away, angrily clarifying her friendship with Jess and her sexual orientation.

Later that day, Jess fears her parents will not allow her to accept the scholarship. Tony, revealing he is secretly gay to Jess, decides to lie to the family and tell them he will get engaged to Jess as long as she gets to go to any college she wants. The Bhamras happily accept, but Jess immediately confesses the truth. Jess's mother ignores Jess's heartfelt speech and scolds Jess's father for letting Jess leave Pinky's wedding. Her father announces he doesn't want Jess to suffer as he did and accepts her desire to play football, eventually leading her mother to finally accept it as well. At the football field, Jess and Joe almost kiss, but Jess pulls away, saying her parents would object, and that although they had come far enough to let her go to the United States to play, she doesn't think they would be able to handle another cultural rebellion from her.

On the day of Jess and Jules's flight to the United States, the two are about to board the plane when Joe arrives and confesses his love for Jess. The two kiss secretly and Jess agrees to sort out their relationship when she returns for Christmas. While at the airport, they see [[David Beckham]] with his wife [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria]], which Jules takes as a good sign. The two leave through the gate waving happily to their families.

While Jess and Jules are away, they send a team photo indicating their continued success in football. Pinky is revealed to be pregnant and Mr. Bhamra gets back into playing cricket with Joe and Pinky's husband.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Parminder Nagra]] as Jesminder "Jess" Kaur Bhamra, an 18-year old Punjabi Sikh who dreams of playing soccer like her idol, David Beckham
* [[Keira Knightley]] as Juliette "Jules" Paxton, a player of the Hounslow Harriers who becomes Jess' teammate and best friend
* [[Archie Panjabi]] as "Pinky" Kaur Bhamra, Jess's older sister
* [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] as Joe, coach of the Hounslow Harriers and Jess' eventual boyfriend
* [[Shaznay Lewis]] as Marlena "Mel" Goines, the captain of the Hounslow Harriers
* [[Anupam Kher]] as Mohaan Singh Bhamra, a former [[cricket]]er and Jess' dad
* [[Shaheen Khan (British actress)|Shaheen Khan]] as Mrs "Sukhi" Kaur Bhamra, Jess' strict mother who despises her daughter's soccer ambition
* [[Frank Harper]] as Alan Paxton, Juliette's father
* [[Juliet Stevenson]] as Paula Paxton, Juliette's mother
* [[Ameet Chana]] as Tony, Jess' best friend
* [[Kulvinder Ghir]] as Tejinder "Teetu"
* Ash Varrez as Teetu's dad
* [[Pooja Shah]] as Meena
* [[Preeya Kalidas]] as Monica
* [[Trey Farley]] as Taz
* [[Zohra Sehgal]] as Biji
* Saraj Chaudhry as Sonny
* Paven Virk as Bubbly
* Emma Daly as team player
* [[Nina Wadia]] as Wedding Caterer
* [[Ace Bhatti]] as Nairobi Grandson
* [[Gary Lineker]] as himself, former professional footballer turned sports commentator who appears in Jess' imaginary dream sequence
* [[Alan Hansen]] as himself, former professional footballer turned sports commentator who appears in Jess' dream sequence
* [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]] as himself, former professional footballer turned sports commentator who appears in Jess' imaginary dream sequence
}}

Additionally [[David Beckham|David]] and [[Victoria Beckham]] appear in non-speaking cameos in the airport scene at the film's conclusion, though David Beckham was portrayed by lookalike [[Andy Harmer]] due to scheduling conflicts while his wife was played by Gill Penny; the real David Beckham does appear via football archive footage and even in posters at Jess’ bedroom, alongside other Manchester United players such as [[Ryan Giggs]]. Other players also appear via archive footage such as [[Mia Hamm]] and [[Brandi Chastain]] in a commercial shown at Jules’ house.

==Production==
Gurinder Chadha co-wrote the script with Guljit Bindra and screenwriting partner Paul Mayeda Berges. Nayar and Chadha actively pursued financing for the film at [[Sundance Film Festival]]. Having previously worked with Road Movies, a German production company on several other projects, Nayar approached them and they came on board, followed by British Screen and [[UK Film Council|The Film Council]]. The film is loosely based on the life of [[Permi Jhooti]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swisslife.com/en/home/hub/interview-permi-jhooti.html|title=Bend it like Permi "Independence makes you strong"|website=Swiss Life Group|access-date=28 November 2022|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128021930/https://www.swisslife.com/en/home/hub/interview-permi-jhooti.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Redbus Film Distribution|Helkon SK]], formerly known as Redbus, picked up the script. [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]] picked up the rights for distribution in the United States at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in [[2002 Cannes Film Festival|2002]].<ref name="Cinema">{{cite web|url=http://cinema.com/articles/1989/bend-it-like-beckham-production-notes.phtml|title=Bend It Like Beckham : Production Notes|website=Cinema.com|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414081618/http://cinema.com/articles/1989/bend-it-like-beckham-production-notes.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> For its American cinema release it was suggested that the title of the movie be changed to ''Move It Like [[Mia Hamm|Mia]]'', as marketeers were concerned that American audience would be unfamiliar with David Beckham.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/page2/s/merron/031110.html|title=ESPN.com - Page2 - How real is "Bend It Like Beckham"?|website=www.espn.com|access-date=14 March 2023|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118165422/https://www.espn.com/page2/s/merron/031110.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Filming===
Principal photography began on 18 June 2001. A variety of locations around [[London]] and [[Shepperton Studios]], [[Surrey]] were used for the nine-week shoot, with the semi-final taking place over a three-day period in [[Hamburg]], Germany.<ref name="Cinema" />

===Casting===
[[File:Hounslow High Street.1.JPG|thumb|The film was situated in [[Hounslow]] in West [[London]].]]

Chadha, who played an active role in casting, chose [[Parminder Nagra]] and [[Keira Knightley]], who would play the two lead roles in the film, while [[Archie Panjabi]] and [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] were in early talks to join the cast. [[Shaznay Lewis]] and [[Anupam Kher]] were also in final talks. [[Juliet Stevenson]] and [[Frank Harper]] joined as Paula Paxton and Alan Paxton, mother and father of Jules.

For the role of Jess's mother, Mrs Bhamra, Chadha turned to [[Shaheen Khan (British actress)|Shaheen Khan]], whom she had previously cast in ''[[Bhaji on the Beach]]''. [[Anupam Kher]], a [[Bollywood]] actor, was cast as Mr Bhamra, Jess's father. Chadha worked with [[The Football Association]] and ended up casting actual players from a variety of school teams.<ref name="Cinema" />

==Release==
===Theatrical===
''Bend It Like Beckham'' was released theatrically on 12 April 2002 by [[Redbus Film Distribution]]. The film then received a limited theatrical release in the United States on 12 March 2003 by [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]]. When originally released in the United Kingdom, it topped the country's box office for the next three weekends, before being overtaken by ''[[About a Boy (film)|About a Boy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20020412|title=Weekend box office 12th April 2002 – 14th April 2002|publisher=25thframe.co.uk|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060836/http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20020412|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20020412|title=Weekend box office 19th April 2002 – 21st April 2002|publisher=25thframe.co.uk|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060836/http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20020412|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Home media===
On the North American ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' video charts, the film entered the top ten of the Top DVD Sales and Top DVD Rentals charts, at number six on Top VHS Sales, and number seven on Top VHS Rentals.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Home Video |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=25 October 2003 |volume=115 |issue=43 |page=55 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en |access-date=26 December 2018 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215093603/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United Kingdom, it was the sixth most-watched film of 2003 on [[subscription television]], with 810,000 viewers on [[Sky Premier]] that year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UK Film Council Statistical Yearbook: Annual Review 2003/04 |pages=74 |publisher=[[UK Film Council]] |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/uk-film-council-statistical-yearbook-annual-review-2003-2004.pdf |access-date=21 April 2022 |via=[[British Film Institute]] |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121182645/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/uk-film-council-statistical-yearbook-annual-review-2003-2004.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later the most-watched film on UK television during the first half of 2005, with {{Nowrap|7.3 million}} viewers on [[BBC1]] during that period.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=September 2005 |title=4. Film on UK Television in the First Half of 2005 |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/18620776/research-and-statistics-bulletin-september-2005-bfi |journal=Research and Statistics Bulletin |publisher=[[British Film Institute]], [[UK Film Council]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=20-34 (24-5) |access-date=21 April 2022 |via=[[Yumpu]] |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115154720/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/18620776/research-and-statistics-bulletin-september-2005-bfi |url-status=live }}</ref>

To mark the tenth anniversary of [[North Korea–United Kingdom relations|North Korea's relations with the United Kingdom]], an edited version of ''Bend It Like Beckham'' was broadcast on [[North Korea]]n state television on 26 December 2010, [[Boxing Day]]. The [[List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to South Korea|British Ambassador to South Korea]], [[Martin Uden]], said it was the "first-ever Western-made film to air on television" in North Korea.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 December 2010 |title=North Korea bends it like Beckham in UK film first |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12095775 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231045750/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12095775 |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=30 December 2010 |work=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Landreth |first=Jonathan |date=2010-12-31 |title=‘Bend It Like Beckham’ Is First Western Film to Screen on North Korean Television |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/bend-beckham-western-film-screen-67379/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===
''Bend It Like Beckham'' surprised critics and met with mostly positive reviews. Review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 85% based on 154 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The consensus states, "Inspiring, compassionate, and with a sly undercurrent of social commentary, ''Bend It Like Beckham'' is a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms."<ref name="RT">{{cite web| url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bend_it_like_beckham/| title=Bend It Like Beckham| work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| date=12 March 2003| publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]| access-date=10 April 2020| archive-date=22 October 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022150317/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bend_it_like_beckham/| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the movie a score of 66 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/bend-it-like-beckham|title=Bend It Like Beckham Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903154114/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/bend-it-like-beckham|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted that the film "was really full of easy humor, an impeccable sense of milieu that is the result of knowing the culture intimately enough to poke fun at it while understanding its underlying integrity."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Turan|first1=Kenneth|title=Bend it Like Beckham: Movie Review|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan12mar12,0,1968425.story|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124103750/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan12mar12%2C0%2C1968425.story|archive-date=24 November 2007|date=12 March 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[The Times of India]]'' noted the film's social context, saying, "[it] is really about the bending of rules, social paradigms and lives – all to finally curl that ball, bending it like Beckham, through the goalpost of ambition&nbsp;... The creeping divide shows that Britain is changing, but hasn't quite changed yet. The stiff upper lip has traveled miles from the time Chadha's father was denied a pint at some pubs at [[Southall]], but like dollops of coagulated spice in badly stirred curry, discrimination crops up to spoil the taste, every now and then, in multi-racial Britain."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/15586848.cms |title=Review: ''Bend It Like Beckham'' is like curry |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2008-04-25 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302070309/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/15586848.cms |archive-date=2 March 2009 |date=10 July 2002}}</ref>

''Planet Bollywood'' gave the film a mark of 9 out of 10: the "screenplay not only explores the development of Jess as a person, but also the changing values and culture of [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|NRI]] teens: Jess's urge to break the social norm of the Indian home-maker, her sister's (Archie Punjabi) sexually active relationship, and the gay Indian [Tony, played by Ameet Chana]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/BendItLikeBeckham/ |title=Film Review: ''Bend It Like Beckham'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502232007/http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/BendItLikeBeckham/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2008 |website=Planet Bollywood review |date=27 June 2003 |access-date=3 November 2011 |last=Ahluwalla |first=Ron}}</ref>

''[[The Hindu]]'' argued, "If ever there is a film that is positive, realistic and yet delightful, then it has to be Dream Production's latest venture directed by Gurinder Chadha... Light-hearted, without taking away the considerable substance in terms of values, attitudes and the love for sport, the film just goes to prove that there are ways to be convincing and honest."<ref>{{cite web|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825191910/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/07/19/stories/2002071900910202.htm |title=''Bend It Like Beckham'' |website=The Hindu |date=19 July 2002 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/07/19/stories/2002071900910202.htm |archive-date=25 August 2010}}</ref>

Jamie Russell at the [[BBC]] gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and argued that "Mr Beckham ought to be proud to have his name on such a great film."<ref>Jamie Russell [https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/03/19/bend_it_like_beckham_2002_review.shtml Bend it Like Beckham (2002)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226171631/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/03/19/bend_it_like_beckham_2002_review.shtml |date=26 December 2019 }}. BBC.co.uk (11 April 2002). Retrieved on 3 November 2011.</ref> The British film was distributed by [[Shripal Morakhia|iDream Productions]] in India,<ref>[http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k7/apr/apr334.php SSKI's Shripal Morakhia divests 50% stake in iDream to management team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129050259/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k7/apr/apr334.php |date=29 November 2014 }}. Indiantelevision. 23 April 2014.</ref> and went on to set the record in India for most tickets sold during a single weekend for a foreign movie.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

''Bend it Like Beckham'' has also been favorably received by [[LGBTQ|LGBTQ+ community members and press]], with one reviewer from ''[[Vice Media|Vice]]'' noting its discussion of queer themes and symbolic queer undertones. The reviewer also shares: "Keira Knightley told [[PrideSource]] that she wants a lesbian ''Bend it Like Beckham'' sequel and agreed that her and Parminder's characters should've ended up together."

===Box office===
In the United Kingdom, the film grossed over £11{{nbsp}}million, making it one of the highest-grossing [[Black British|Black]]/[[British Asian|Asian]]-themed British films.<ref>{{cite news |title=BFI Screenonline: Bend It Like Beckham (2002) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/475636/index.html |access-date=20 December 2018 |work=[[British Film Institute]] |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120131439/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/475636/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With {{US$|32.5 million|long=no}} in US box office revenue,<ref name="bom">{{cite web |title= Bend It Like Beckham (2003) |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=benditlikebeckham.htm |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= 20 December 2018 |archive-date= 21 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181221182445/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=benditlikebeckham.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> ''Bend It Like Beckham'' became the highest-grossing Indian-themed film in the United States<ref>{{cite web | title = Dropping Lesbian Romance from Beckham the Right Decision | url = http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/Movies/beckham.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110415033405/http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/Movies/beckham.html |archive-date= 15 April 2011 | website= AfterEllen.com | access-date= 3 November 2011 }}</ref> since ''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]'' (1982).<ref>{{cite web |title= Gandhi (1982) |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gandhi.htm |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= 20 December 2018 |archive-date= 21 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181221182447/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gandhi.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> At the time of its release, ''Bend It Like Beckham'' became the highest-grossing [[association football]] themed [[sports film]] in the United States; it remains the third highest-grossing film there in this genre (behind ''[[Kicking & Screaming (2005 film)|Kicking & Screaming]]'' and ''[[She's the Man]]'').<ref>{{cite web |title= Sports - Soccer Movies at the Box Office |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=soccer.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040612204000/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=soccer.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2004-06-12 |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] }}</ref> The film grossed {{US$|76.6 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref name="bom" />

===Accolades===
====Wins====
* 2004 [[Pyongyang International Film Festival|Pyongyang Film Festival]]: Music Prize<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-09-21 |title=英 '슈팅 라이크 베컴' 평양영화제서 음악상 |url=https://sports.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2457830 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250402012306/https://sports.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2457830 |archive-date=2025-04-02 |access-date=2025-05-29 |work=스포츠한국 |language=ko}}</ref>
* 2002 [[Bordeaux International Festival of Women in Cinema]]: Best actress, Special Jury Prize, Audience Award<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bend It Like Beckham (2002) Awards & Festivals |url=https://mubi.com/en/films/bend-it-like-beckham/awards |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=mubi.com}}</ref>
* 2002 [[British Comedy Awards#2002|British Comedy Awards]]: Best comedy film<ref name=":0" />
* 2003 [[ESPY Awards]]: [[Best Sports Movie ESPY Award]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espys/|title=ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Sports – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-date=23 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123145255/http://espn.go.com/espys/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2004 [[GLAAD Media Awards]]: [[15th GLAAD Media Awards#Film Awards|Outstanding Film – Wide Release]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=GLAAD: 15th Annual Media Awards |url=http://www.glaad.org/events/mediaawards/15th_annual/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328112621/http://www.glaad.org/events/mediaawards/15th_annual/ |archive-date=2005-03-28 |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.glaad.org}}</ref>

====Nominations====
* 2006 [[Billie Awards#2006 Billie Awards|Billie Award]] – ''Entertainment'' (Best film)
* 2004 [[Writers Guild of America Award]] – Best Screenplay<ref name=":0" />
* 2003 [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] – Best British Film<ref name=":0" />
* 2003 [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe for Best Film – Musical or Comedy]]<ref name=":0" />
* 2002 [[Locarno International Film Festival]]: Audience Award – [[Gurinder Chadha]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[London Film Critics Circle Awards 2002|2002 London Film Critics Circle Awards]]: British Newcomer of the Year – [[Keira Knightley]]<ref name=":0" />
* 2002 [[International Film Festival of Marrakech]]: Special Jury Award – Gurinder Chadha<ref name=":0" />
* 2003 [[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures]]: Special Recognition<ref name=":0" />
* 2002 [[Sydney Film Festival]]: PRIX UIP – Gurinder Chadha<ref name=":0" />
* 2003 [[The Comedy Festival]]: Film Discovery Jury Award – Gurinder Chadha

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Music from the Motion Picture Bend It Like Beckham
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = Various artists
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = 2002
| recorded   = 2000–2002
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      =
* [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
| length     =
| label      =
* [[Milan Records|Milan]] (US)
* [[Cube Records|Cube]] (UK)
| producer   = Various artists
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
The U.K. soundtrack release features bhangra music, and songs by the [[Spice Girls]]' [[Victoria Beckham]] and [[Melanie C]] and rock band [[Texas (band)|Texas]]. It also features "Baddest Ruffest" by Backyard Dog, the aria ''[[Nessun Dorma]]'', from [[Giacomo Puccini|Puccini]]'s ''[[Turandot]]'' and excerpts from dance band [[Basement Jaxx]]. The U.S. soundtrack release rearranges the tracks and excludes some material. ''"Dream the Dream"'' by [[Shaznay Lewis]] and [[Amar (British singer)|Amar]]'s [[Sitam - Mohabbat Ka Rang|Hindi cover]] of [[The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song)|''"Jennifer Rush's The Power Of Love"'']] appears in the film along with another Hindi cover of ''"The Power Of Love"'' with male vocals that appears in the ending credits but these tracks are absent from both of the soundtrack releases.

===(U.K.) Release===
# [[Craig Pruess]] & [[Bally Sagoo]] Feat. [[Gunjan]] – "Titles"
# [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] – "[[Atomic (song)|Atomic]]"
# Backyard Dog – "Baddest Ruffest"
# [[B21 (band)|B21]] – "Darshan"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "It's Beckham's Corner"
# [[Victoria Beckham]] – "I Wish"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Learn To Cook Dahl"
# [[Malkit Singh]] – "Jind Mahi"
# [[Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan]] – "Tere Bin Nahin Lagda"
# Bally Sagoo Feat Gunjan – "Noorie"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Juicy Juicy Mangoes"
# [[Basement Jaxx]] – "[[Do Your Thing (Basement Jaxx song)|Do Your Thing]]"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Eyes Down"
# [[Texas (band)|Texas]] – "[[Inner Smile]]"
# [[Melanie C]] – "Independence Day"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Can't Make Round Chapattis"
# [[Hans Raj Hans]] – "Punjabiyan Di Shaan"
# Gunjan – "Kinna Sohna"
# [[Tito Beltrán]] – "[[Nessun Dorma]]"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "The Offside Rule Is"
# [[Bina Mistry]] – "Hot Hot Hot"
# Craig Pruess & Bally Sagoo Feat. Gunjan – "Hai Raba!"
# [[Curtis Mayfield]] – "[[Move on Up]]"

===(U.S.) Release===
# [[Craig Pruess]] & [[Bally Sagoo]] Feat. Gunjan – "Titles"
#(Movie Dialogue) – "It's Beckham's Corner"
# [[Texas (band)|Texas]] – "[[Inner Smile]]"
# [[Malkit Singh]] – "Jind Mahi"
# Bally Sagoo Feat Gunjan – "Noorie"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Learn To Cook Dahl"
# [[Victoria Beckham]] – "I Wish"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Juicy Juicy Mangoes"
# Gunjan – "Kinna Sohna"
# Partners in Rhyme (featuring Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) – "Tere Bin Nahin Lagda"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Can't Make Round Chapattis"
# [[Melanie C]] – "Independence Day"
# [[B21 (band)|B21]] – "Darshan"
# (Movie Dialogue) – "Eyes Down"
# [[Bina Mistry]] – "Hot Hot Hot"
# [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] – "[[Atomic (song)|Atomic]]"
# Craig Pruess & Bally Sagoo Feat. Gunjan – "Hai Raba!"
# [[Tito Beltrán]] – "[[Nessun Dorma]]"

==Stage musical==
{{main|Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical}}
A stage musical version of the film opened at London's [[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]] in June 2015.<ref name="Bend It Like Beckham the Musical" />

On 7 May 2019 it was announced that the stage production, which debuted in London's West End, would have its North American premiere in Toronto, with a limited run at the [[St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts]]' Bluma Appel Theatre beginning in December 2019.

==See also==
* [[List of association football films]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{screenonline title | 475636 }}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Bend It Like Beckham''
|list =
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release}}
{{The Jury Prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival Awards}}
}}
{{Gurinder Chadha}}
{{Women's football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bend It Like Beckham}}
[[Category:2002 films]]
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[[Category:Cultural depictions of David Beckham]]
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[[Category:Films about immigration]]
[[Category:Films about Indian weddings]]
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[[Category:Films about women in the Indian diaspora]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gurinder Chadha]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by Gurinder Chadha]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Paul Mayeda Berges]]
[[Category:Fox Searchlight Pictures films]]
[[Category:German association football films]]
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[[Category:German independent films]]
[[Category:German romantic comedy-drama films]]
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