daily stream: are you ready for some football?

2003’s Bend It Like Beckham is on Disney+ in the US, Lionsgate+ in the UK, and on lots more services on both sides of the pond

Jan 25

In this, the 20th anniversary of its release, let us celebrate the glory that is 2003’s Bend It Like Beckham, the tale of Indian-British teen Jesminder (Parminder Nagra) as she navigates the push-and-pull of life as the first-generation child of immigrants. She wants to play football (soccer to Americans); her parents are less than thrilled at her pursuit of such a decidedly unfeminine hobby. It’s sporting! It’s crosscultural! It’s funny and sweet and heartwarming, and just plain delightful.

Keira Knightley, who plays Jes’s pal here, of course has gone on to have a huge movie career, which is certainly well deserved: she’s terrific. But it’s a crime that Nagra has not has the same huge career, because she’s amazing, too. (Read my 2003 review.)

US: streaming on Disney+; rent/buy on Prime and Apple TV

UK: streaming on Lionsgate+ (via Prime); rent/buy on Prime and Apple TV; rent on BFI Player and Curzon Home Cinema

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