You bet she plays like a girl

The British smash hit comedy, Bend it Like Beckham, strikes a chord on all levels. Directed by award-winning director Gurinder Chada, the movie contains many universal themes; maybe too many for it's own good.

The various areas touched by this film, however, make it next to impossible not to enjoy and relate to on some level. The story is that of a young Indian girl, Jess (Pariminder K. Nagra), whose only dream in life is to play soccer like her hero, David Beckham. Standing in her way however, are centuries of Sikh Indian tradition and a family who desires nothing more than to protect its daughter from the cultural unknown.

While Jess's situation is entirely unique, her problems and fears are universal. In the end, the message of the story ends up emphasizing not only the significance of being honest with others, but being honest with one's self, despite familial and cultural expectations and norms.

With this in mind, the movie is in many respects unrealistic, Hollywoodized and cheesy. The writers and director attempt to do too much at once, which decreases the effectiveness of the film in its ability to convey its morals. Each of these themes in and of itself is more than relevant to our everyday lives, but when mixed all together they just seem like one large fiesta bowl of perpetual setbacks.

On the other hand, what is effective in the film is the way all of the issues connect. Jess and her best friend, Jules (Keira Knightley), come from entirely polar backgrounds. Jess is from an immigrant, ritual-oriented family and Jules is from a single child English household. At the outset, these two girls appear to have nothing in common, excepting their love of soccer, but as the story progresses, it is clearly demonstrated that both girls face the same challenges. They both struggle to live their own lives and to fulfill their own dreams, despite their parents' reservations and limitations.

While the film has a little bit too much going on and lasts a few minutes too long, the clashing characters, cultures, ideas and costumes make for a colorful and humorous mix. Granted, this is a chick flick, especially if you're a girl who plays soccer. Its message is empowering and hopeful with some very entertaining moments along the way.

The challenges faced by Jess are not limited to the fearful tentativeness of her family; she is also confronted with life hurdles, which plague nearly everyone. In this situation, however, the trials pertain more specifically to the lives of women in all cultures and to outsiders in a society different from their own.

In addition to these broader themes, Jess also confronts the issue of a first love, not to mention, its further complication of the object of her affection is not Indian, but Irish. Another issue that is frantically thrown into the mix is homosexuality and its ever-present assumptions and associated stigmas. While this addition, which ensures that the film covers all the societal hot topics, is humorous, it is also somewhat unnecessary.

Marriage is a prominent theme throughout the movie with Jess's very traditional sister Pinky, engaged. There is also the ever present prospect of interracial marriage. There are friendship squabbles accompanied by the importance of teamwork, camaraderie and eventually honesty (being that Jess spends the majority of the film sneaking around and lying to her parents).

In general, when Americans think of British and European cinema, what comes to mind are the likes of The Full Monty and other wry and glaringly authentic movies and characters. Beckham does not fit this mold. If it weren't for Knightley's model body (whose stomach is on display throughout the entire film) and striking good looks, she would definitely not be able to hold her own on screen. The same goes for Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), Jess's dashing coach.

Nagra and the rest of her supporting cast do a fantastic job. Both of the girls' parents bring us back into the realm of English cinematic realism, and it's very refreshing.

Despite specific actors' shortcomings, this movie is certainly worthwhile thematically, and if you want to watch some great soccer (women's mostly), by all means, this is the movie to see.