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AKEELAH & THE BEE Send This Review to a Friend
Although formulaic, “Akeelah & the Bee” is such a warm-hearted, upbeat film that it becomes irresistible. Keke Palmer is a feisty charmer as 11-year-old Akeelah, who has a talent for spelling, and the bee in the title is a national spelling contest that represents a major challenge for Akeelah both in the way of opportunity and in her journey toward a feeling of self-worth. This young lady is someone to care about, a character who earns our affection and respect.
Interestingly, Akeelah is not gung-ho to be a spelling bee winner. That status sets her at odds with peers in her south Los Angeles environment. And she doesn’t like the pressure. But she has the talent, appreciated by others, especially language expert Dr. Larabee, who thinks she can go far if she applies herself. That is a big if, and Dr. Larabee, played with unrelenting firmness by Laurence Fishburne, is a tough taskmaster.
Akeelah’s mother, Tanya, played with intense emotions and a sharp tongue by Angela Bassett, is protective of her daughter and must be persuaded to allow her to compete toward the grueling finals. The film is enlivened by various other youngsters as contestants. Writer-director Doug Atchison packs a lot into the screenplay, including revelations pertaining to Akeelah’s mentor, but the story clicks in an emotional way because we can be swept along and planted firmly in Akeelah’s corner.
It is also quite amazing how much suspense is engendered. Here’s a film that is built for family enjoyment, and that is not meant condescendingly. A Lionsgate release.
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