“Bend It Like Beckham,” November 13

Thursday, November 13, 6 p.m.

Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA

Lauded by Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus as "a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms," the sleeper hit Bend It Like Beckham enjoys a November 13 screening in the Figge Art Museum's Free Film at the Figge series, this breakout for star Keira Knightley also praised by the Los Angele Times for its "impeccable sense of milieu that is the result of knowing the culture intimately enough to poke fun at it while understanding its underlying integrity."

In director Gurinder Chadha's lauded entertainment, the East Indian Bhamra family have been settled in Great Britain for several years. They have two daughters, Pinky (The Good Wife Emmy winner Archie Panjabi) and Jessminder (Parminder Nagra), and while Pinky is in the process of getting married, Jessminder is preparing to play football - which is not acceptable to her parents. But Jessminder knows she is good at the sport, and she does receive considerable encouragement. Her parents are clearly uncomfortable with their daughter running around in shorts, chasing a big ball, instead of being clad in a traditional salwar khameez, and learning to cook East Indian recipes. Jessminder must now decide what's important for her, and to make matters worse, a football tournament is arranged on the very day of her sister's marriage. Will Jessminder be able to play, or will her dreams be shattered?

With Keira Knightley earning raves as Juliet Paxton, a fellow football players who becomes Jess' teammate and best friend, Bend It Like Beckham was theatrically released first in the United Kingdom in April of 2002, with critics praising the screenplay, light-hearted tone, and commentary on Punjabi social norms and culture. Following its 2003 release in the United States and other territories, the film ultimately grossed $76.6 million at the box office, and in 2015, Bend It Like Beckham was adapted into a stage musical that opened at the Phoenix Theatre.

Among the movie's many raves, The Hindu stated, "If ever there is a film that is positive, realistic and yet delightful, then it has to be Dream Production's latest venture directed by Gurinder Chadha ... . Light-hearted, without taking away the considerable substance in terms of values, attitudes and the love for sport, the film just goes to prove that there are ways to be convincing and honest." Jamie Russell at the BBC, meanwhile, awarded the sports dramedy four stars, and argued that "Mr Beckham ought to be proud to have his name on such a great film."

Bend It Like Beckham will be screened in the Davenport museum's John Deere Auditorium on November 13, with the Figge Bar open at 5 p.m. with food available (cards only) and the movie beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free, and more information on the evening is available by calling (563)326-7804 and visiting FiggeArtMuseum.org.