![]() Expect some swearing (including a few uses of "s-t," "bitch," "hell," and slurs like "Paki," "d-key," and "lesbo") and innuendo, as well as kissing and characters who fight over the same person. ![]() ![]() The movie has strong themes of friendship, teamwork, and courage, as teens learn to be honest and parents learn to support their children's interests and dreams. Parents need to know that Bend It Like Beckham is a romantic sports comedy that follows a British Indian teen, Jess ( Parminder Nagra), who just wants to play soccer - though her immigrant parents have other ideas. But LGBTQ+ aspects are outdated: When a friend comes out as gay, Jess reacts poorly, responding, "But you're Indian!" and makes her friend sweat before finally concluding that his sexuality is "OK with her." And a mother's fears that her daughter is a lesbian are played for comedy, excusing her homophobic behavior. Another main character has visible scars from knee surgeries. Disability representation via the main character, who has visible leg scarring from a childhood burn (based on the actor's real history). One of Jess and Jules' teammates is Black - she and all the women on the soccer team are confident and non-stereotypical. Plenty of wonderfully specific references, but they can border on stereotypical - immigrant parents balk at their daughter's wearing shorts, don't want her playing soccer, say things like "what greater honor is there than respecting your elders," and want her to learn to cook and get married to a nice Indian boy (but not a Muslim, they make clear). Directed by a Punjabi Sikh woman who grew up in West London, the film centers around a British Indian Punjabi Sikh family living in Hounslow.
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