from Scene-by-scene Commentary
DVD chapter 5. Mum TroubleEXT.PARK – DAY
Jess tells Tony about the team/ plays a bit / Taz picks her up bodily because he can’t beat her otherwise/ her mother sees it / Juxtaposition of girls and boys playing – with the girls being better.
Scar referred to again.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Mrs B lectures Jess; high angle on Jess looking small on couch:
“You’re not a young girl any more.”
“Jessie, putar, now that your sister has got engaged, it’s different. You know how people talk.”
“I was married at your age.”
“What family will want a daughter in law who can run around kicking football all day but can’t make round chapattis?”
“No more football.”
“Your mother is right. You must start behaving like a proper woman. OK?” / # wonderful scene
Behind her is the picture of Guru Nanak, the C15 founder of the Sikh religion; Baba-ji = ‘honoured father’. Mrs B’s gesture echoes his.
Last time scar is mentioned.
Foreshadowing future problem
Generation differences.
Divorce is a shame to the family
We will see her make round chapattis later.
1st obstacle overcome – her parents know; replaced by 3rd obstacle: ‘A proper woman’ = cultural and gender expectations.
EXT.PARK – DAY
Jess complains to Tony: “Anyone can cook aloogobibut who can bend a ball like Beckham?”
Tony advises her to play without telling her parents. Jules says the same: “My Mum’s never wanted me to play. You just can’t take no for an answer.”
Jules says an American scout is coming over and suggests Jess should pretend she has a job at HMV for the summer. They play.
/ a plane flies over / Reinforces that Jess is a “good” girl.
we will see her do both later
Motif: Beckham
Deceiving parents is a thread that runs through the whole story.
Theme of need for persistence.
Reiteration that Tony and Jess are just mates.
foreshadowing
Motif: plane
INT. / EXT
Jess skips breakfast to go to ‘work’ // picks up her bag from the garden where it is hidden // runs to the game. / Deceit in action.
song: “Move On Up”
Street signs locate it on the A4 near Hounslow, Heston, Southall, London, where the exterior filming was done.
EXT. PITCH – DAY/NIGHT
MONTAGE: game /goals / training / night game / fun and games / at home / / Jules hugs Joe / Jess and Jules running in park / game / training with Joe / Jules and target board /Jess and mother cooking aloogobi – Jess bouncing onion, capsicum, cabbage on her knee. / Not the same strip as Manchester United but the same colour.
[see 'Interesting Facts']
foreshadowing future problem
2nd step – training, playing