Five stars

AN ASIAN football fanatic who fantasises she will one day play the 'beautiful game' for her country makes for a fascinating topic in this brilliant film.

The story follows teenager Jess (Parminder Nagra) as she battles to convince her family that being an outstanding female football player is as acceptable as making the perfect poppadoms.

Enthralling and funny, the audience is taken on an emotional roller-coaster ride as the values and expectations of different cultures are explored.

Determined to play for the local women's football team, she is spotted in the local park by team player Jules (Keira Knightley).

Jess plays in secret knowing her family don't agree, particularly her mother who provides most of the big laughs with lines like 'who'd want a girl who plays football all day but can't make chapattis?'

Juliet Stevenson plays Jules' eccentric mother, mocking the white, middle-aged, middle-classes, and deciding her daughter is having a lesbian fling with Jess.

The mix-up provides good comedy and for the more soppy among us there is a real romance between Jess and team coach Joe.

A fabulous feel-good film.

BP