If Tufts dorms got ESPN, we could tune in at the beginning of June and witness a different kind of intense sport in action: the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Don't laugh. These kids can blow you away with their ability to spell words like "abacist." Still not convinced? See the poignant drama, "Akeelah and the Bee," detailing one girl's struggle against all odds to win the most prestigious of spelling competitions.
11-year-old Akeelah Anderson (played by Keke Palmer) is a gifted student who stands out from her inner-city south Los Angeles school, torn between fitting in with her delinquent peers and reaching her full potential. Palmer is excellent at portraying her character's inner turmoil. Akeelah has a secret love for words and spelling that only emerges when her principal (Curtis Armstrong) forces her to participate in the school-wide spelling bee.
She wins the opportunity to move onto the next level of competition under the wing of her coach, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne). Akeelah works hard and triumphs, despite her mother's protests that school work is more important than spelling. Her determination and perseverance eventually bring her all the way to the National Spelling Bee, where Akeelah not only finds her niche but also unites her neighborhood as they support her amazing endeavor.
The basic idea behind this movie may seem clich?©d, but "Akeelah and the Bee" plunges into its themes with tremendous depth and heart. While the bee is clearly the focus, the themes about overcoming obstacles are important on multiple levels. Akeelah's older brother also tries to break out of cultural stereotypes and join the Air Force, while her younger brother slowly falls in with the wrong crowd.
This movie is far more realistic and whole than another recent bee blockbuster, 2005's "Bee Season." While that film focuses on obscure, religious elements involved with the art of spelling, "Akeelah and the Bee" is more tangible and easier to relate to.
Additionally, "Akeelah" takes the time to portray the National Spelling Bee accurately. The director, Doug Atchison, heavily researched the Bee, and the film actually showcases Dr. Jacques Bailly, the current pronouncer, and Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, a regular commentator for the ESPN broadcast of the Bee (although her blurb about Akeelah is not realistic).
Despite the overall realism of the film, much of the kids' dialogue sounds too staged. Even some of the adult dialogue seems unnatural, due to periodic awkward words and phrases. Dr. Larabee can make up five thousand flashcards of words like "pulchritudinous," but his best description of the National Spelling Bee is "a tough nut."
Akeelah's character is full and believable, but basically all of the other cast members are just props. The character of Javier (J.R. Villarreal), a wealthy boy from a different district who befriends Akeelah, is highly scripted. He is the quintessential prop for tying together the upper-class community with the lower-class neighborhood. He also ropes Akeelah into the elite world of spelling. Fortunately, the movie never capitalizes on the idea of Javier and Akeelah becoming a couple, although he does dare to kiss her on the cheek.
Later on, Akeelah snags the last spot at the state bee after a boy at the district level gets disqualified because his mother mouthed the spelling of "carmagnole." Not only is this situation entirely artificial, but the viewer also gets the impression that Atchison sat down and said, "Well, we need to force a twist into the district level because every other level has one difficulty for Akeelah. Let's introduce the issue of cheating."
Also, the intense Scrabble tournament at Javier's birthday party is unrealistic. Akeelah challenges and defeats Dylan, the stereotypical Asian snob whose father expects him to win everything, including the National Spelling Bee. Back at home, Akeelah's entire neighborhood comes together to help her study, whether on the street or at the supermarket. How many times has that ever happened in your hometown?
While the movie does contain moments of light humor, the occasional absurdity is most likely unintentional. At one point, Akeelah is studying hard and '70s soul group The Spinners' "Rubberband Man" is playing in the background. All the viewer can think about at that point is the Office Max commercial that used that song.
Although parts of this film are definitely cheesy, the themes are nonetheless heartwarming. "Akeelah and the Bee" is not your typical boring, obscure spelling bee film; it's something that everyone can enjoy.
