Akeelah and the Bee

last updated 8 January 2015

The script practically writes itself, said Wesley Morris in The Boston Globe. Akeelah Anderson is an 11-year-old black girl from South Central Los Angeles, who reluctantly competes in the school spelling bee, and pulls off a win. Her principal pressures her to enter the national bee, enlisting the help of a gruff former spelling coach. She's insecure at first, but works hard, and by the time she gets to the bee she's learned some valuable lessons. Sure, it's formulaic and gooey-sweet, but it also produced 'œone of the happiest feelings I can remember having in a theater.' It's downright delightful to watch this underdog succeed, especially since she's played by such a charming young actress, said Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune. Keke Palmer works her part impeccably—moments that could have made the audience cringe bring tears to their eyes. 'œAnd she's not alone.' Laurence Fishburne plays the world-weary coach to perfection, and Angela Bassett is brilliant as ever as Akeelah's less-than-supportive mom. The movie's scenes fall into place seamlessly, thanks to writer/director Doug Atchison, said Chris Kaltenbach in the Baltimore Sun. He believes in the basic goodness of all people, and it's contagious. This unembarrassed feel-good flick 'œsuffers nary a single cynical thought. Good for it.'

Rating: PG