message in the movies By Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

         
Akeelah and the Bee Rated PG
Directed by Doug Atchison. Starring Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer



Photos © Copyright Lionsgate Films

Eleven year old Akeelah Anderson (Palmer) is having a rough time at school.  Her father has died and her mother (Bassett), while working hard to support the family, is often less than attentive.  Akeelah feels like a loner and struggles to find her place in the world.  She turns in class work late and will likely have to go to summer school.  But there is one thing that she is good at – spelling – and her school has decided to enter the national Scripps spelling bee for the first time.  Her principal realizes that her talent might help place their school on the map for future funding, so he’s even found a reclusive professor (Laurence Fishburne) who might tutor her.  But Akeelah balks at being placed in the spotlight, and her mother has little patience with spelling bees.  Akeelah will learn to believe in herself as she discovers a greater community around her.  Will she make it to the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C.?  Since even Charlie Brown has made it that far, there is little doubt as to where the basic story is headed.   But as the film heads in familiar directions full of clichéd plot devices, Akeelah and the Bee constantly surprises us with its lack of cynicism and its love for its many characters.  We learn a bit about spelling bee strategy, as well as how smart kids are found in all types of neighborhoods.  We also learn that there are more important things in life than simply trying to be the best.  Keke Palmer as Akeelah is the heart of this movie, and her performance is one of the best of the year.  This is the best kind of feel-good family film.  You’ll even learn how to spell a few new words. 

Pitchfork Rating: Five halos. (An inspirational film about not only believing in yourself, but in the power of community.)   One pitchfork.  (Some juvenile poo-poo language.)

 

 

 

past movie reviews