Bend it like Beckman

After doing some Paris laundry, I decided that I needed a movie. So I headed downtown to one of the new theaters and saw Bend it like Beckman. I've wanted to see it for quite some time, but it kept losing out to other film picks. I ended up seeing it with a small crowd of girlfriends, moms-n-daughters, and a couple of eldery gentlemen. The movie was great...a real girl power kinda movie, cheesy, a tad predictable, but overall a great movie. It not only dealt with the idea of a girl from a traditional Indian family playing soccer, but it also dealt with sexuality, growing up, and balancing your dreams with your family pressures.

Some parents might not like their kids seeing this film - heck some parents might not like their adult kids seeing this film. A lot of the movie dealt with the main character realizing that her parents might not always know what is best. And yes, in the end her parents realize that - both main characters' set of parents in fact. I dunno what I'm going to be like in 18 years, when Paris comes to me and tells me s/he wants to do X and I've been thinking Y. But I do have to remind myself (as I'm sure others out there will also) that I've been living life since I was about 13 in a way that says "fuck you" to my parents.

I don't think it's as harsh as that, but sometimes to a parent I'm sure it can seem like that. I remember in high school some friends were fretting over making a choice that would be good for them versus making a choice that their parents would want. I always said to make the choice that would be good for them...our parents aren't living our lives. And if they really do love us, they'll get over it and understand. You know what? Mine did. Sure, feelings were hurt for a very long time, but eventually things got settled. It wasn't the happy ending that Beckman had, but then again, maybe it was.

I just really think that life is just too damn short for all of us to be living it for someone else. We have dreams, we have goals, and if we keep someone else in control of our lives, we just aren't living. Compromise, yes - take turns, yes - but never give in to someone else's whims.

Back to the movie itself...one plot point that America is the land of opportunity for the main characters, Jess & Jules, and their professional soccer dreams. At one point, the movie showcases a video of Mia Hamm playing to a full crowd of fans. *sigh* If only it was that way. If only Mia always played in front of a full house, if only we knew that all the Jesses & Jules in the world could play in front of crowds that weren't full of just relatives and friends. Gawd...I do think too much.

But not to leave us on a sour note, I must point out that Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is a hottie. He's also scheduled to be in the new telling of The Last Unicorn. *swoon*