ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

THE DOCUMENTARY ‘Spellbound’ painted a fascinating portrait of American children competing in the National Spelling Bee championships. ‘Akeelah And The Bee’ uses the same competition for a sugary tale in which all the personal dramas and dilemmas are spelt out in more ways than one.

Fact proves much more compelling than fiction, although this remains a cozy, undemanding heartwarmer. Keke Palmer stars as Akeelah Armstrong, an eleven year-old who has a talent for spelling words. She is encouraged to enter the Spelling Bee, although her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett) clearly does not approve.

She is given expert tuition and encouragement from Dr Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), who sees in Akeelah some kind of substitute for his dead daughter. All of them are coping with grief in some way as Akeelah’s father is also dead.

The difficulties of coming to terms with their loss runs in tandem with the suspense of the competition as Akeelah heads to a nailbiting head-to-head in the finals.

Financed and promoted by Starbucks, ‘Akeelah And The Bee’ is the kind of film that neither offends nor inspires. The story runs according to early expectations and is full of predictable advice to trust your instincts and try to be the best you can be.

It is only once the competition turns serious that the film generates some tension, although the solid professionalism of seasoned stars like Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett helps to keep it watchable. If you are looking for something a little more compelling, renting or buying ‘Spellbound’ is the recommended option.

Selected nationwide release
Director: Doug Atchison
Stars: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Curtis Armstrong, Tzi Ma.
Screenwriters: Doug Atchison
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 110 mins
Country: USA Year: 2005

© Allan Hunter, 2006