Raised in a traditional Sikh family, her mother and father want her to marry a proper Indian boy and become a proper Indian woman who prides herself on cooking all the traditional Indian dishes. The pressure is on when her older sister Pinky (Archie Panjabi) becomes engaged and follows in the footsteps of the rest of the family and fulfills the traditional Sikh expectations of marriage.

Of course, this is exactly when Jess meets Jules (Keira Knightley), a fellow female soccer fanatic who shares the same passion for soccer and an equally impressive talent to take their game to the top. Jules convinces Jess to join the all-girl soccer team she plays on. With the encouragement of their good-looking soccer coach Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), the girls end up taking control of the field. The two become the best of friends, displaying an incredibly genuine chemistry both on and off the field.

But, the plot thickens. Oh boy, does it thicken. The film takes advantage of every opportunity to test the various South Asian cultural taboos and serves up plot twist after unexpected plot twist, almost to the point of absurdity. But the humorous nature and lighthearted vibes keep the film enjoyable, straying away from a deeply dramatic soap opera-like sentiment.

Underneath all the fun and laughs, the film tackles the important issue of an ever-present conflict between the cultural expectations of immigrant parents and the changes and assimilation of their children. All of this is done very tastefully, without ever disrespecting or mocking the traditional customs of Indian culture.

Another one of the most striking features of the film is the strength of the cast, all of whom play out their characters with natural charm and invigorating energy, regardless of the size of their roles. The film’s lead roles are played by three young rising stars (Nagra, Knightley, and Meyers), but the film also boasts more seasoned actors like Bollywood star Anupam Kher as Jess’ father and singer-songwriter Shaznay Lewis of the pop group All Saints as the team’s captain.

Overall, “Bend It Like Beckham” is a feel-good movie that really does leave you feeling good! Almost two hours long, the plot does a good job of keeping you engaged and entertained the entire time. The film does a magnificent job of presenting audiences with a rich insight into Indian culture and even, British culture, as it follows young characters pursuing their dreams in a culturally diverse world.

Not just entertainment, the film has also sparked social change. The film has inspired the first girls’ soccer league in India. League organizer Arup Das says, “Bend It Like Beckham has helped in the way that it’s opened everyone’s eyes to the fact girls can also play.”

Released in the UK on April 12 of last year, “Bend It Like Beckham” was the first film by a non-white Briton to reach number one on the charts, and also became the country’s top-grossing British financed and British distributed film. The film went on to top the box office charts in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Now, American audiences have the chance to see what all the hype is about. “Bend It Like Beckham” is playing in 117 screens throughout the U.S. and is set to release into more theaters April 18.