Character relationships

Relationship between Jess and Jules

Jess and Jules are friends and teammates in the film Bend It Like Beckham (2002) directed by Gurinder Chadha. Their friendship is based on their common passion for football. They are both talented and they play well together. Even when they are not speaking to each other after Jules becomes angry with Jess because of Joe, they still collaborate well on the field.

Jess and Jules are also supportive of each other and caring. When Jess tells Jules that she does not have anything to wear to go clubbing, Jules calls another teammate, Mel, and persuades her to lend Jess some of her clothes. 

When Jess tells Jules that her mother ordered her to return the football shoes and buy wedding shoes instead, Jules lends Jess a pair of her mother’s shoes to wear at her sister’s wedding. Jules and Jess’ displays of affection make both Mrs. Paxton and Tejinder’s parents think that they are romantically involved. They hug and kiss to celebrate or just to show affection. 

However, the relationship between the two of them is complicated by the fact that they both have a crush on their coach, Joe. When Jules sees Jess kissing Joe at the club, she gets angry and refuses to speak to both Joe and Jess. Even after Jess comes to her house to apologize, Jules accuses Jess of being selfish and refuses to patch up their relationship. 

When Joe tells Jules that the American scout will watch them play in the final, Jules decides to make up with Jess. Jess accuses Jule...