25 quotes
Family Concerns About Jess's Soccer Aspirations
Joe
I'm sorry to barge in on you like this, but I wanted to talk to you in person. I only found out today that you didn't know Jess was playing for our team.
Mrs. Bhamra
No, we didn't.
Joe
I apologise. If I'd known, I would have encouraged Jess to tell you because I believe she's got tremendous potential.
Mr. Bhamra
I think we know better of our daughter's potential. Jess has no time for games. She'll be starting university soon.
Jess
But playing for the team is an honour!
Mrs. Bhamra
What bigger honour is there than respecting your elders?
Jess
Mom!
Mr. Bhamra
Young man, when I was a teenager in Nairobi, I was the best fast bowler in our school. Our team even won the East African Cup. But when I came to this country, nothing. I was not allowed to play in any of the teams, and the bloody goras in their clubhouses made fun of my turban and sent me off packing!
Joe
I'm sorry, Mr. Bhamra, but now it's...
Mr. Bhamra
Now what? Our boys aren't in the football leagues. You think they will let our girls? I don't want you to build up Jesminder's hopes. She will only end up disappointed, like me.
Jess
It's all changing now. ] is captain of the English cricket team and he's Asian.
[[w:Nasser Hussein|Ṇạsser Ḥusseịṇ]
Mrs. Bhamra
Hussein is a Muslim name, their families are different.
Jess
Oh, Mum!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cultural Conflicts and Parental Expectations
Teetu's father
We're not trying to cause trouble. We felt it our duty to tell you.
Mr. Bhamra
You know how hard it is for our children here. Sometimes they misjudge and start behaving like the kids here.
Teetu's mother
All I know is that children are a map of their parents.
Pinky
You stupid flippin cow!
Mrs. Bhamra
You've ruined your sister's life! Happy now?
Pinky
The wedding's off cause of you!
Jess
Me? Why?
Mrs. Bhamra
They saw you being filthy with an English boy!
Jess
I wasn't with any English boy!
Pinky
They saw you at a bus stop kissing him! Why couldn't you do it in secret like everyone else?
Jess
Kissing? Me? A boy?! You're all bloody mad!
Mr. Bhamra
Jesminder, don't you use those swearing words!
Jess
I was at the 120 bus stop today but with Juliet. My friend. She's a girl, and we weren't kissing or anything for God's sake!
Mr. Bhamra
Do you swear on ]?
[Points to painting on living room wall; [w:Guru Nanak|Babaji's name]
Jess
I swear on Babaji's name.
Mrs. Bhamra
Sometimes these English girls have such short hair... You just can't tell.
Mr. Bhamra
They must have made a mistake.
Mrs. Bhamra
His parents are just making an excuse. We were never good enough for them.
Pinky
No, I bet she was with some dykey girl from her football team! She's still been playing you know! She ain't got no job! She's been lying!
Mrs. Bhamra
Why have I two deceiving daughters? What did I do wrong in my past life?
Pinky
But she's ruined my life!
Mrs. Bhamra
Don't think I didn't knew you were sneaking out with that good-for-nothing Teetu as well!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confusion on the Football Field
Jess
What you playing at?
Opposing team player
]!
[[w:Anti-Indian sentiment|Piss off, Paki; Jess repeatedly shoves the opposing player]
Referee
Go away. Number 7, come here.
Mr. Paxton
What's the matter with you, ref?
Referee
Number 7. Violent conduct towards a player.
[Gives a penalty marker to Jess]
Jess teammates
No! You can't do that! You haven't seen any of it, have yah? It's out of order!
Football boy 1
She is so hard!
Football boy 2
Oh, man! Unlucky, Tony, mate!
Joe
What the hell's wrong with you, Bhamra?! I don't ever want to see anything like that from you ever again! We're lucky they're not suspending players from this tournament! Excellent! We've got ]. Three cheers - hip, hip!
[[w:Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR in the final]
Team
Hurray!
Joe
Hip, hip!
Team
Hurray!
Joe
Hip, hip!
Team
Hurray!
Joe
Brilliant!
Jess
Why did you yell at me like that? You knew the ref was out of order!
Joe
You could have cost us the tournament!
Jess
But it wasn't my fault!
Jess
You didn't have to shout at me!
Joe
I'm your coach. I have to treat you the same as everyone else
Joe
Look, Jess. I saw it. She fouled you. She tugged your shirt. You just overreacted, that's all.
Jess
That's not all. She called me a Paki. But I guess that's something you wouldn't understand.
Joe
Jess, I'm Irish. Of course I understand what that feels like.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love and Family Expectations in Relationships
Jess
Pinks... How do you know Teets is the one?
Pinky
I just know. When you're in love with someone, you'd do anything for that person.
Jess
Pinks, do you think Mum and Dad would still speak to me if I ever brought home a gora?
Pinky
Who?!
Jess
No one. I'm just saying.
Pinky
It's that coach bloke innit! I knew something was up when he turned up here!
Jess
Nothing's happened.
Pinky
Well, make sure it doesn't, all right? You can marry anyone you want. It's fine at first when you're in love and all that but do you want to be stared at, by every family that do because you married the English bloke?
Jess
].
[[w:Irish people|He's Irish]
Pinky
Well, they all look the bloody same to them, innit? Why go to so much grief when there's so many good-looking Indian boys to marry? Now, they wear good clothes, got flashy jobs and even know how to cook and wash up! Hey, how bout that Tony? He's been mad on you for ages!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Question of Affection Between Friends
Jess
Do you fancy me, Tony?
[''Ṣịttịṇg wịth Ṭoṇy ịṅ ạ ċịty pạrk gạzebo wạtċhịṇg the ḟootbạll boys ṗlạy'']
Tony
I like you, yeah...
Jess
Maybe we can go out, then, yeah?
Tony
Jess, what's going on?
Jess
I think I need an Indian boyfriend.
Tony
What's going on? You're acting all weird.
Jess
Sorry. You know my coach, yeah?
Tony
Yeah.
Jess
I nearly kissed him in Germany.
Tony
Wow! And that's why you need an Indian boyfriend?
Jess
Well, Jules likes him, too, and now she hates me.
Tony
Look, Jessie. You can't plan who you fall for. It just happens. I mean, look at... Posh and Becks.
Jess
Well, Beckham's the best.
Tony
Yeah! I REALLY LIKE BECKHAM TOO.
[Chuckles]
Jess
Well of course you do. No one can cross a ball or bend it like Beckham
Tony
No, Jess. I really like Beckham.
[Shakes head]
Jess
What? You mean... But you're Indian! God, what's your mum gonna say?! My sister thinks you're mad about me!
[incredulously scoffs]
Tony
I am! I just don't want to marry you.
Jess
What would those tossers say if they knew?
[Glances at football boys]
Tony
Jess, you're not going to tell anyone?
Jess
Course not. It's okay, Tony. I mean, it's okay with me.
Tony
Yeah, well, you fancying your gora coach is okay with me. Besides... he's quite fit!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles
Jess
That was so brilliant the way you came to my house. You were brave enough to face my mum! Your dad can't be as bad as her!
Joe
Your mom's a barrel of laughs compared to me dad! I don't need to feel close to my family, Jess. I don't need you to feel sorry for me.
Jules
You bitch!
[''Ẇạlks ạwạy'']
Jess
Shit! Jules.
Joe
Jules!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embarrassing Conversations About Fashion Choices
Jules
I'd never wear that!
[''In a women's underwear retail store with her mother holding up a bra'']
Mrs. Paxton
They're all the rage, poppet! You blow em up, just like a lilo. Look, this little pump comes free with it. Pop it in the valve, pump away, up it goes, then slip it back in there... and boom! Cleavage! They're perfect while you're still growing cause they lift you right there.
[Holds up bra looking proud; Grabs Jules breasts who jumps highly violated]
Jules
Mum! God, you're so embarrassing!
Mrs. Paxton
They make more of what you've got! All the girls have bought one for their daughters! The Fleur's pretty, and the gel bra's a clever one, no pumping, it's already in there. Not the sports bras! They're so plain! They don't enhance!
[Following Jules; Jules walks up to a rack]
Jules
No one's going to see them!
Mrs. Paxton
It's not how they look, it's how they make you feel. I really like that lace lycra one.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Balancing Family Expectations and Personal Passion
Joe
Your parents didn't look too pleased yesterday. Have you come to tell me you're off the team for good?
Jess
It's not fair. I'm either going to let the team down or piss them off, and I don't want to upset anyone.
Joe
Why are they so frightened to let you play?
Jess
They want to protect me.
Joe
From what?
Jess
This is taking me away from everything they know.
Joe
Whose life are you living, Jess? If you try pleasing em for ever, you're gonna end up blaming em.
Jess
What, like you? I'm sorry.
[''Joe puts on a dejected face'']
Joe
No, you're right. I stopped talking to my dad because we had nothing to talk about. Spent a year getting pissed trying to forget about the game, but I couldn't.
Jess
Yeah, but I can't just stop talking to them, like you.
Joe
I don't talk to my dad because I know what he'd say. He'd piss himself if he knew I was coaching girls!
Jess
How do you know that? How do you know he wouldn't be proud that you didn't just give up? You should be proud of what you've given all of us.
Joe
Then why are you giving up?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Possibility of Love Amid Family Concerns
Joe
Look, I can't let you go without knowing.
Jess
What?
Joe
That even with the distance, and it concerns your family, we might still have something. Don't you think?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Generational Expectations and Cultural Pressure
Mrs. Bhamra
Chi, chi, chi! He was touching you all over! Putting his hands on your bare legs! YOU'RE NOT A YOUNG GIRL ANYMORE! And showing the world your scar, ay yi yi...
Mr. Bhamra
Jessie, now that your sister's engaged... it's different. You know how people talk.
Jess
She's getting married, not me!
Mrs. Bhamra
I was married at your age! YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO LEARN ]!
[[w:Dhal|HOW TO COOK DHAL]
Jess
Anyway I'm not playing with boys any more.
Mrs. Bhamra
Good! (unknown Indian language) End of matter!
Jess
I'm joining a girls team.
Mrs. Bhamra
Ah?!
Jess
They're proper matches. The coach said I could go far.
Mrs. Bhamra
Go far? Go far to where? Jessie, we let you play all you wanted when you were young, huh? You've played enough.
Jess
That's not fair! He selected me!
Mrs. Bhamra
He'?! She said it was girls!
Jess
The coach, Joe.
Mrs. Bhamra
See how she lies? I don't want you running around half naked in front of men, huh? Look how dark you've become, playing in the sun!
Jess
But I'm really good!
Mrs. Bhamra
Who will want a daughter-in-law who can kick a football all day but can't make round ]? Now exams are over, you'll learn full Punjabi dinner! Meat and vegetarian!
[[w:Chapati|chapattis]
Jess
But, Dad...
Mrs. Bhamra
No! This is where you spoil her! This is how it started with your niece, the way that girl would answer back and she ran off to become a model wearing small, small skirts!
Jess
Mum, she's a fashion designer!
Mrs. Bhamra
She's divorced, that's what she is! Cast off after three years of being married to a white boy with blue hair! Her poor mother hasn't been able to set foot in that temple since. I don't want the shame on my family. That's it! No more football!
Mr. Bhamra
Jessie, your mother is right. It's not nice. You must start behaving like a proper woman. Okay?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Engagement Proposal with a College Condition
Jess
How am I going to tell em, Tony? I'll have to now or I'll end up a solicitor, bored out of my mind.
Tony
Come with me. Mum, Uncle, Auntie... We've got something we want to tell you.
Mr. Bhamra
Why is he holding her hand?
Tony
We've been good friends for a long time now. We'd like to ask for your blessings. We'd like to get engaged. But there's one condition, Jesminder goes to college first, anywhere that she wants.
Mrs. Bhamra
Of course, putar! Well, we have relatives all the way in ], in ]...
[[w:Glasgow|Glasgow; [w:Portsmouth|Portsmouth]
Jess
Mum, Dad... Tony's lying. We're not getting married. Tony only said that to help me, but I'm not lying any more. I played in the final today, and we won!
Mrs. Bhamra
When?
Jess
I wasn't going to go but Dad let me. And it was brilliant. I played the best ever! And I was happy because I wasn't sneaking off and lying to you! I didn't ask to be good at football. Guru Nanak must have blessed me. There was a scout from America there today, and he's offered me a place at a top university with a free scholarship and a chance to play football professionally, and I really want to go, and if I can't tell you what I want now, then I'll never be happy, whatever I do.
Mrs. Bhamra
You let her leave her sister's wedding to go to a football match?!
Mr. Bhamra
Maybe you could handle her long face, I could not. I didn't have the heart to stop her. And that's why she's ready to go all the way to America now!
Mrs. Bhamra
She's dead, man!
Jess
It's all right, Mum, just leave it.
Mr. Bhamra
When those bloody English cricket players threw me out of their club like a dog... I never complained. On the contrary, I vowed that I will never play again. Who suffered? Me. But I don't want Jessie to suffer. I don't want her to make the same mistakes that her father made of accepting life, accepting situations. I want her to fight. And I want her to win... because I've seen her play. She is brilliant! I don't think anybody has the right of stopping her. Two daughters made happy in one day. What else can a father ask for?
Mrs. Bhamra
At least I've taught her full Indian dinner. The rest is up to God.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings About Love and Identity
Paula
That's why she's been so depressed lately cạuse that Jess broke her heart! She's in love... ẈỊṬḤ Ạ ḠỊṚḶ!
Alan Paxton
You're jumping to all the wrong conclusions.
Paula
But I heard her! No wonder she never looked twice at the Kevin or brought any boys home. I tried to get her nice clothes, you know we've had some lovely prints in this summer you know in swimwear and sarongs and that. She never wants to go shopping with me. It was terrible what they did to that ] going on about him and his private business in the papers like that! Oh no!
[[George Michael]
Alan Paxton
George Michael is still a superstar and you still listen to ]
[''Ṗuts hịs hạṇd ạċross Ṗạulạ's bạċk oṇ her shoulder ''; [w:Wham!|Wham!]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Balancing Dreams and Family Expectations
Jess
I nearly scored from 20 yards today. Bent it and everything. I could have played all night. It's not fair that boys never have to come home and help. If I had an arranged marriage, would he let me play football whenever I wanted to?
[Mr. Bhamra bursts into room]
Mr. Bhamra
Who are you talking to?
Jess
No one, Dad.
[Mr. Bhamra sits on Jess' bed]
Mr. Bhamra
Okay, Biji and her grandson are staying in here for the wedding. Why don't you put up nice picture of beautiful sceneries instead of this bald man?
Jess
Dad!
Mr. Bhamra
I'm going to change. Come and help me out, okay?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings about Identity and Attraction
Jules
What were you thinking?!
[Ŗịdịṇg wịth mother]
Mrs. Paxton
I saw you with my own eyes! You were kissing after your match! I'm not stupid, you know! And anyway, look at the clothes you wear!
Jules
Mother, just because I wear trackies and play sport does not make me a lesbian!
Jules
Me and Jess were fighting because we both fancy our coach... Joe.
Paula
Joe, a man, Joe?
[pause]
Jules
Yeah, as in male, Joe! Joe, our coach, Joe, man, Joe!
Jules
Anyway being a lesbian's not that big a deal
Paula
Oh no of course not sweetheart no. I mean I've got nothing against it. I was cheering for ] as much as the next person.
[[Martina Navratilova]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family and Relationships in Personal Choices
Joe
You're lucky... to have a family that cares that much about you. I can understand you don't want to mess with it.
Jess
Joe...
Joe
And I don't fancy being busted by your dad again. You better get back.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Jess Bhamra Scores a Remarkable Goal
Sportscaster
..and there is Bhamra. It's a fine header, and she's scored! It's a goal by Jess Bhamra! A superb header, beating the defender,and planting the ball beyond the goalkeeper's left hand. Jess Bhamra makes a name for herself at ]!
[[w:Old Trafford|Old Trafford]
Sportscaster
And have we discovered a new star here, Gary Lineker?
Gary
That's right. John?
John
Absolutely.. hehe.
Gary
Could Bhamra be the answer to England's prayers? Alan?
Alan
Quick thinking, comfortable on the ball, vision and awareness - magnificent. Tell you what, I wish she was playing for Scotland!
Gary
John, have England found the player to relive ]?
[[w:1966 FIFA World Cup|their World Cup glory from '66]
John
Definitely, and the best thing is, she's not even reached her peak yet.
Anchor
We're joined now by Jess's mother. You must be proud of your daughter.
Mrs. Bhamra
Not at all! She shouldn't be showing her bare legs to 70,000 people! She's bringing shame on the family. And you three shouldn't be encouraging her! Jesminder, you get back home now! (untranslated Indian language) Jessminder? Are you listening to me? (untranslated Indian language) Jessminder?! Have you gone mad?! Football, shootball! Your sister's getting engaged, and you're sitting here watching this skinhead boy!
[Mrs. Bhamra faces the camera; Scene changes to Jess' bedroom fixated on her television set oblivious to her mother at door; Grabs remote and turns off TV]
Jess
Mum, it's Beckham's corner!
Mrs. Bhamra
Eh, come downstairs, and your sister's going crazy.
Pinky
I've got to go! Mum, where are my keys?
Jess
I'm sick of this wedding and it hasn't even started!
Pinky
That girl is a first-class bitch!
Mrs. Bhamra
Pinky, you've got so many others!
Pinky
It was all planned now I gotta get another one! Will you get a flaming move on!
[To Jess wạlkịṇg dowṇ stạịrs]
Jess
What the bloody hell's going on?
Pinky
Get this yeah? Teet's bloody sister says she's wearing baby pink now. Stupid flipping cow! I had matching accessories and everything!
Jess
Oh, Mum, do I have to go shopping again?
Mrs. Bhamra
Ah! My mother chose all my 21 dowry suits herself. I never once complained. You girls are too spoilt! And don't forget my ]. And more carrots. I'm making ].
[[w:Coriander|dhania; [w:South Asian pickle|achar]
Both Jess and Pinky simultaneously
Oh, Mum, don't do pickle as well!
Mrs. Bhamra
Oh, am I asking you to make it?!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family Expectations vs. Personal Choices
Jess
What are you doing?!
Tony
We can make the second half if we go now.
Jess
My mum and dad will go spare! I wouldn't ruin it for them.
Tony
They won't even notice.
Jess
I can't! Look how happy they are. I wouldn't want to ruin it for them.
Mr. Bhamra
What are you going to ruin?
Jess
Nothing Dad.
Tony
It's the final of the football tournament. I can drive there. Pick up her kit along the way. It won't take long.
Jess
Stop it, Tony. It doesn't matter. I don't want to spoil the day for you and Mum.
Mr. Bhamra
Pinky is so happy and you look as if you're at my funeral.
[Grabs Jess and pulls her aside]
Jess
I'm sorry, Dad.
Mr. Bhamra
If this means I'll see you smiling on your sister's wedding day, then go now, but when you come back, I want to see you happy on the video. Play well and make us proud.
[Jess hugs her fạther appreciatingly]
Jess
Joe! What's happening?
[Shows up at stadium]
Joe
Start warming up, Bhamra. We're one-nil down, half an hour to go.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cultural Expectations and Personal Identity
Jess
Anything I want is just not Indian enough for em! I never ] like Pinky or Bubbly. I don't wear make-up or tight clothes. They don't see that!
[[w:Truancy|bunked off school for those daytimers]
Tony
Parents never see the good things.
Jess
Anyone can cook ], but who ] like Beckham?
[[w:Aloo gobhi|aloo Gobi; [w:Curl (association football)|can bend a ball]
Tony
Just play and don't tell them. Pinky's been sneaking off for years to see Teets, NW they're getting married and nobody cares. What your parents don't know won't hurt.
[Hands her a tissue]
Jess
Why should I have to lie? It's not like I'm sleeping around with anyone!
Jules
Jess! Hello! I thought you'd be here.
[''Ẇạlks up]
Jess
This is Tony. This is Jules from the team.
Tony
Jess is well made up with your team.
Jules
We've got high hopes for her, especially me.
Jess
My mum doesn't want me to play any more.
Jules
That's bollocks! My mum's never wanted me to play. You can't take no for an answer. Yeah, but my sister's getting married so Mum and Dad are stressed out. I won't be able to get to training and matches.
Jules
Come on, Jess. You can't leave me alone out there. Joe has an American scout coming over. Don't worry about your mum. Just say you got a summer job. I could put in a good word for you at ] with me. So, now we've got that sorted, show me what your fella can do!
[[W:HMV|HMV]
Jess
He's not my boyfriend!
Tony
I'm not her boyfriend!
[Pause, then clears throat and runs after Jules]
Jules
Jess, come on! Are you playing?!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confusion Over Identity and Relationships
Mrs. Paxton
How could you be such a hypocrite? How could you be all respectful here with your lot when you've been kissing my daughter in broad daylight?! Hmm? Get your lesbian feet out of my shoes!
[Mrs. Paxton looks down at Jess' shoes; Mrs. Paxton takes Jess' shoes]
Old Indian woman 1
Lesbian? Her birthday's in March.
Old Indian woman 2
I thought she was ].
[[w:Pisces|a Pisces]
Old Indian woman 3
]. ]!
[[w:Lebanese people|She no Lebanese; [w:Punjabi people|She Punjabi]
Pinky
Do you mind? This is my wedding!
Pinky
What's that gora going on about you being a lezbo? I thought you fancied your coach!
[Ịṇ vehịçle]
Jess
I don't know what she was saying!
Pinky
Don't you want all of this? Isn't this the best day of your life, innit?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Family's Concern Over Time and Food
Jess
Mum, I'm starving. I worked through my lunch hour today.
Mrs. Bhamra
Where's Pinky? She was supposed to pick you up so you wouldn't be late for Poli. Pinky, why didn't you pick your sister up from work, huh?
Pinky
I went but the manager said I'd just missed her.
Mrs. Bhamra
Okay, Poli's on her way. I'll make you girls some tea.
Pinky
Who is he, then?
Jess
Who?
Pinky
You must think I've got shit for brains, lying about a job and that!
Jess
Don't tell Mum and Dad. I kept Teet a secret for you.
Pinky
He's not ], is he?
[[w:Islam in the United Kingdom|a Muslim]
Jess
Ssh! I've been playing football for a women's team.
Pinky
Huh? It's worse than I thought!
Jess
It's a tournament with real matches!
Pinky
What is wrong with you, Jess? At least lie for something good! Don't you want a boyfriend like everyone else? You're quite pretty you know. Do your hair, some make-up, you'd look all right.
Mrs. Bhamra
Leave her alone. I never wore make-up until after I was married. Jessie's a good girl now. She helped me wash all the net curtains and she made lovely aloo Gobi last week.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Injury and Self-Image in Sports
Joe
Jess, what's going on?
Jess
It looks awful. It's why I can't wear shorts ever.
[Pulls shorts over her burn scarred leg]
Joe
Jesus! That's a stunner! I thought I had a bad one on my knee, but yours is gorgeous! Look... Two operations later and it's still useless. Does yours affect your game? Look, don't worry about it. No one's gonna care once you're out there. What happened?
[Pulls up pant leg to reveal gnarled scar on knee]
Jess
You don't want to know. Nah, it just looks awful. I was eight. My mum was ]. And I was trying to ]. And I jumped up to the grill to get the toast. And my trousers caught light so my sister put me in the bath, poured cold water over me and pulled them off. And half my skin came off too.
[[w:working overtime at Heathrow Airport|Heathrow; [w:Baked beans#Commercial production and international consumption|cook beans on toast]
Joe
Sorry.
Jess
I know - it put me off beans on toast for life.
Joe
Come on. Mine stopped me from playing outright, yours doesn't. No more dawdling.
[Tries to stifle laughter]
Jess
Sorry about your knee.
Joe
Yeah, yeah. I'm a right sob story, aren't I? Come on! I want to see some sweat on you!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family Tensions Over Gender Expectations
Mrs. Paxton
Oh, will you both pack it in! Look at the state of my ]! Allen, when are you gonna realize you have a daughter with breasts, not a son?
[Çomes out oḟ house; [w:Fuchsia|fuchsias]
Mr. Paxton
Paula!
Mrs. Paxton
No boy's gonna go out with a girl who's got bigger muscles than him!
Mr. Paxton
Leave her alone.
Jules
I'm not gonna give it up!
Mrs. Paxton
I saw Kevin on the high street with a blonde girl and it didn't look like they weren't talking about match of the bleedin day either!
Jules
Kevin can shag whoever he bloody wants!
Mrs. Paxton
Honey, all I'm saying is there is a reason why ] is the only one of them without a fella.
[[w:Melanie C|Sporty Spice]
Mrs. Paxton
Sweetheart...
Mr. Paxton
Why don't you get off her flamin back? If she'd rather play football than chase boys, frankly I'm over the moon about that.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflicted Feelings About Support and Perseverance
Jess
Why are you doing this to me, Joe? Every time I talk myself out of it, you come around and make it sound so easy.
Joe
I guess I don't want to give up on you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Freedom to Choose in Sports
Jess
Joe! I'm going! They said I could go!
Men in Background
Oi, oi, oi!
Jess
I'm sorry, I forgot.
Joe
That's okay now. I'm not your coach anymore. We can do what we want.
Jess
Joe...
Joe
Your dad's not here, is he?
Jess
Joe... I'm sorry.
Joe
What?
Jess
I can't.
Joe
Can I ask why?
Jess
Letting me go to America is a big step for my mum and dad. I don't know how they'd survive if I told them about you too.
Joe
I understand.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Facing Parental Expectations in Sports
Jules
When are you going to tell your parents about your game?
Jess
I don't know.
Jules
You can't keep lying. You're too good.
Mrs. Paxton
Cooey!
Jules
Hide the shoes!
Mrs. Paxton
Sweetheart!
Jules
Up here, Mum.
Mrs. Paxton
Oh, it's hot out there! Oh! Got company! Hello, love.
Jules
Mum, this is Jess.
Mrs. Paxton
Jess? Is that Indian?
Jess
It's really Jesminder, but only my mum calls me that.
Mrs. Paxton
Oh, that's nice. Jesmin-dah. Lovely! Well, Jesmin-dah, I bet your room at home doesn't look like this! Great big butch women on the wall!
Jules
Thank you, Mum, I'm not old like you!
Mrs. Paxton
Jess, I hope you can teach my daughter a bit about your culture, including respect for elders and the like, eh? Cheeky madam! Well, Jess... I expect your parents are fixing you up with a handsome young doctor soon. Pretty girl like you...
Jules
Mum! Stop embarrassing yourself!
Mrs. Paxton
What? Just being friendly! You don't mind, do you, love? Of course not! Now, are you a friend from school or work?
Jules
She's a footballer. She's on the team with me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.