Structure

The film Bend It Like Beckham (2002) directed by Gurinder Chadha tells the story of Jess Bhamra, an Indian girl who likes to play football. 

The film has a chronological plot structure as it follows Jess, from her pursuit of her hobby without her parents’ knowledge, to finally gaining her parents’ support and leaving for America to start her football career. The film also has a parallel storyline which follows Jules Paxton, Jess’ white teammate, who has a similar passion for football and the same career goals as Jess. The narrative can be split into three acts. 

The first act introduces the setting and the characters. The family dynamics are revealed, as well as the premise for the external conflicts. At the end of Act 1, Jess wonders how to tell her parents that she joined a football club, while Mrs. Paxton scolds Jules for playing football. 

Several parallels are drawn between the Bhamras and the Paxtons. For instance, neither of the mothers are supportive of their daughters’ passion for football. Mrs. Bhamra does not want Jess to wear football shorts because they are too revealing, while Mrs. Paxton wants Jules to act and dress in a more gender-conforming way. 

At the beginning of t...