“Akeelah and the Bee”

By Harry Forbes
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Given the wide appeal of the 2003 documentary "Spellbound" and the ongoing popularity of a similarly themed Broadway musical, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," the public seemingly can't get enough of bees.

" Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate) is the latest entry, and it proves to be an irresistible story about a South Los Angeles 11-year-old loner, Akeelah (Keke Palmer), whose lack of interest and poor performance in many of her subjects can't disguise her proficiency with words.

Her love of language comes from her Scrabble-playing father, who was killed when she was 6 years old, and to whose framed photographs she speaks for consolation. Her hard-working nurse mother, Tanya (Angela Bassett), has little time for her introspective daughter; her older brother is in the Air Force; and her other brother is chronically in trouble with local boys in the 'hood.

Crenshaw Middle School's principal, Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong), persuades the reluctant Akeelah to participate in the school spelling competition -- which could, in turn, lead to the citywide contest, and ultimately a national spelling bee. Welch is hoping that if she wins the inner-city school will benefit from the high profile it receives.

Akeelah eventually comes to be tutored by an emotionally fragile English professor, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), who makes it clear from the start that he will not accept insolence from the sometimes sassy girl. Street talk, like "ain't," is off-limits, and she mustn't simply learn the words by rote, but learn their meaning.

Knowing Akeelah is fearful, he makes her read Marianne Williamson's words: "We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

Tanya is distressed that Akeelah is flunking her other subjects and, worrying the endeavor will interfere with the girl's flagging grades, forbids her to compete. But her doubts are soon overcome by the intercession of Larabee and Welch.

Early in the game, Akeelah, who is African-American, bonds with a friendly competitor, the Hispanic Javier (J.R. Villarreal), and tries to reach out to the current champ, the Chinese Dylan (Sean Michael Afable), whose hard-as-nails father tries to browbeat the boy into winning, deridingly telling him he should be able to "beat a little black girl."

Writer-director Doug Atchison handles Akeelah's journey of self-discovery and growing empowerment deftly and builds suspense on the way to a satisfying if unabashedly formulaic conclusion.

Fishburne and Bassett, reunited after their turns as Ike & Tina Turner is 1993's "What's Love Got To Do With It," are excellent. It's particularly gratifying to see Fishburne in such a warmly sympathetic role, after the tough stoicism of his roles in the "Matrix" trilogy and similar films.

The bespectacled Palmer radiates genuine decency, and her bright presence anchors the film.

The inspiring messages about conquering fears, honesty, community, education and, above all, the beauty and potency of words, run throughout a hugely entertaining film that should hold you spellbound.

A few crass expressions and a single use of a four-letter word can't detract from an overall warm endorsement for all audiences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.