Akeelah and the Bee
I must admit that one of my guilty pleasures, although I don’t know how guilty it is, is watching the Scripps National Spelling Bee. My roommates and I used to love it. It was right up there with the Little League World Series and curling, so any time I hear about a movie having to do with spelling I’m at least a little interested.
Akeela and the Bee is about eleven-year-old Akeela Anderson (Keke Palmer) who after the death of her father develops a gift for spelling. Being from South Los Angeles, her school is under funded and realizing her ability Akeela’s principle (Curtis Armstrong) sees an opportunity to get some much needed good press, so he introduces her to Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne). Larabee is a professor and a former spelling bee contestant who wants to coach Akeela in order to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The only thing standing in her way is her disapproving mother (Angela Basset) and herself.
There’s some fairly strong acting in this film, especially from Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne. It’s amazing to me how well Palmer is able to anchor this film. Let’s face it she’s the title character and does a great job of doing so. It’s impressive to see such a range and the ability to be very subtle from such a young actor. At the same time you have Fishurne in one of his best roles. When The Matrix came out, I thought you’d end up seeing him in another Mr. Miyagi type roll since he was so good at being Morpheus. Dr. Larabee is a complicated character and Fishburne makes the most of it. However, Basset’s performance is questionable, simply because it’s spotty. She is able to pull off individual scenes, but is unable to pull off the shifting of gears that is necessary for her role.
My only real complaint about this movie as a whole is that it doesn’t really decide whether or not it wants to be an adult or children’s movie. It never completely commits to the emotional drama nor does it become a silly coming of age film, having said that, this may actually end up being one of its strengths. Since, it never picks a side of the fence to be on, it will have a little something for everyone.
I consider myself a fairly cynical person and this film even won me over by the end. There are times where the perfect of amount setting sunlight comes in the window to back light a character while they go for a particular bit of cheesy dialog and there is a musical montage. However, the final act of this film will probably convert anyone trying to fight against how enjoyable it really is. Besides, something has to be said for a film that older kids will enjoy and their parents can watch along with them. This is the most appropriately adult children’s film of the year.
The Grade
- Story: B
- Acting: B+
- Visuals: B-
- Originality: B-
- Enjoyability: B+
- Overall: B
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