Character Case Study
Bend It Like Beckham
Wilhemina Reynolds
March 15, 2008
HSM 250
Dr. Session
University of Phoenix
The movie I chose was Bend it like Beckham. The character I chose was Jessminder.
Jessminder is a young female that has a love for soccer and has an obsession over David Beckham who is a professional soccer player on an American Team. Jess’ hopes one day to be a professional as well. Another young girl comes across Jess playing soccer with some nearby boys. The young girl her age (18) introduces her to the soccer team and the coach. Jess goes behind her parents back to play this sport. Jess’ racial identity is not an issue with the teammates. Her religion is important to their family. Jess’ parents believe their children are supposed to take cooking lesson to cook for the family when they are married. “Heart-stopping talent doesn't seem to be enough when your parents want you to hang up your football boots, find a nice boyfriend and learn to cook the perfect chapatti.” (IMDb. (1990). This is their cultural Identity.
The social identity is very responsive to others in the area when their daughter is seen playing soccer. The family is very respected by others. Jess’ sister is to be married the same time she has a tournament. She attends her sisters wedding but with her dad’s help she goes and plays the tournament. Jess’ parents do not like the idea of her playing soccer but in the end come to accept that this is her dream and what she wants.
[pic]
IMDb. (1990). Bend It Like Beckham. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286499/plotsummary