Bend It Like Beckham: Analysis of Film Techniques

Bend It Like Beckham analysis (essay)

The use of lighting in the film helps to illustrate the many difficulties Jess encounters. Jess’s struggle to overcome many of these obstacles is evident in the scene where she is sitting motionless on the floor in her bedroom, staring up and talking to the big poster of superstar soccer player David Beckham. Jess’s obsession with David Beckham is clearly shown in how her bedroom is set out with the walls covered in countless pictures of him as well as his football jersey. The use of lighting in this scene highlights Jess’s miserable life. The light is shining brightly on the wall covered in pictures of David Beckham, whilst Jess is sitting in the darkness. This scene also makes Jess look small against the big football star making it obvious to the audience that she looks up to him during difficult times.

The director uses camera shots strategically to effectively portray the clash between the worlds of football and Jess’s Indian heritage. This is evident in the scene where Jess is practicing her skills using a cabbage, whilst her mother is cooking chapattis and getting irritated at her for not being able to cook a full traditional Indian dinner. Instead of paying any attention as to how to cook a traditional meal, she uses the cabbage as a soccer ball to practice her soccer skills. Through Jess’s body language the audience gets the feeling of how Jess is struggling to balance her family’s Indian culture and the world of English Soccer. The camera shot of Mrs Bhamra looking back at her daughter also gives the audience an idea of how Mrs Bhamra is aware of the many changes Jess has made growing into becoming a young adult with a passion for football.

The director has used costumes and camera shots effectively to illustrate some of the many challenges Jess is faced with. The collision between the two cultures is evident in the scene where her soccer mates quickly redress her into the traditional Sari dress in the change rooms before rushing back to her sister’s wedding. The use of costume in this particular scene highlights the clash between the two cultures. Jess is dressed in a traditional Sari, whilst her teammates are wearing the club’s soccer uniform which is western style modern looking. The mid camera shot capturing Jess’s nervous facial expression, whilst her teammates are surrounding her illustrates how she is feeling about her parents finding out she participated in the grand final during her sister’s wedding.

Being born into a family with a strong sense of culture has a major impact on the choices people make in life. Although Jesminder encountered many difficulties with her over controlling parents and strict culture, she persisted by taking many risks in an attempt to achieve her goal of pursuing a professional career in football, as she knew this was something, she felt very passionate about, and would enjoy making a living out of. Through Jess’s motivating story to success, one can all learn that in life, nothing is impossible if setting your mind to it, and that goals can only be achieved if one is willing to take risks.