Keira Knightley in Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

East meets West and ball meets net in the surprise British box-office hit Bend It Like Beckham (2002). Much to the chagrin of her traditional Indian parents, East Londoner Jess Bhamra (Parminder K. Nagra) is far more interested in playing soccer (ahem, football) than in finding a husband. When the pert young star (Keira Knightley) of a semi-pro team compliments Jess on her athletic ability, it’s all the impetus that she needs to dedicate her life to the game--even if it means going behind her parents’ backs to do so. Nagra, Knightley, and co-star Shaznay Lewis prove to be buoyant personalities with plenty of onscreen charm. The fact that they look good in soccer jerseys and sports bras makes their locker-room scenes all the more enticing.