Everybody's a critic - 'Bend It Like Beckham'

Three stars (out of four)

This film rises above most other films in its genre. It follows Jess Bhamra's struggle to overcome not only gender restrictions in English soccer but to break through cultural barriers. The English cricket players had previously shunned her father due to his Indian cultural background, leaving him with concerns about her trying to become a pro soccer player.

The film emphasizes how Jess and her teammate, Jules Paxton, have to rise above their disapproving mothers to do what they love. Jess's overbearing family and Jules's overtly feminine mom make for hilarious situations.

Jess's sister, Pinky, is inconsistent in her motivations. In one scene she is supporting Jess's goals, in the following scene she is seemingly not.

The film's inconsistencies are few and do not tarnish the whole package. This film will keep you on your toes with all its plot twists. It's definitely worth seeing.

- Hannah Stepenoff, high school student

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Three stars (out of four)

This is a soccer movie without any soccer moms. Instead of encouraging their daughters to play the game, the mothers -- one British and one Indian -- create all kinds of comical scenes trying to get them to give it up. In fact, the "mums," living comfortably in English suburbs, seem kind of dim. The British father gets it. The Indian father figures it out. But the mothers have to be hit over the head with the fact that their offspring have a major talent that should be nurtured and not stifled.

Nevertheless, this is a high-spirited movie with a joyful Indian wedding and fast-paced action on the soccer field. David Beckham, the idol of the young soccer players, appears briefly at the end of the film. The actors hang onto the emotional truth in even the most preposterous twists of the plot.

- Bonnie Stepenoff, university professor

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One and a half stars (out of four)

After not attending a movie in 10 years ("The Little Rascals" at the Broadway Theater), I picked a loser. I was the only person in attendance at the Sunday night late showing.

The plot revolves around an Indian girl (Parminder Nagra) playing soccer despite the disapproval of her traditional Hindu family living in England.

"Beckham" could qualify for a misplaced Benny Hill comedy. The movie makes fun of Hindu values and when the sister of the main character (Jess) marries it reminds me of a gypsy wedding. Gay and lesbian issues are involved in minor subplots.

The casting is excellent. In the future you will see more of the main actors in other roles.

In the end, Jess gets a chance to play soccer in America with her friend, Jules, while the coach (Joe) gets to go and coach in America. Everyone rides into the sunset happy. Go see "Seabiscuit" instead.

- Robert Aubuchon, retiree