"Akeelah and the Bee" does what so few films do - it shows an appreciation for the humanity of black folks, a group rarely treated respectfully on screen.
#AKILA AND THE SPELLING BEE MOVIE#
Instead of seeing a movie I expected to hate, I saw a movie I've always wanted to see. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Fishburne not only starred but also was a co-producer. Plus, I figured it would be worth the six bucks to see Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne on screen together sans fisticuffs or the violent use of cake. I competed in a few bees during my childhood, so I figured there would be some nostalgic value. “Akeelah and the Bee” fills the viewer with a story of a young girl’s determination, hope for the future of our children and the importance of love and support from friends and family.The movie was produced by Lions Gate Films, an independent company best known for two movies, "Monster's Ball" and "Crash." Halle Berry won Best Actress for her performance in "Monster's Ball," joining Hattie McDaniel's Mammy ("Gone With the Wind") and Whoopi Goldberg's Oda Mae Brown ("Ghost") in Oscar's disturbing roll call of black female winners.Īs for "Crash," Scott Foundas of the LA Weekly hit the nail on the head when he wrote the following about the film: "Welcome to the best movie of the year for people who like to say 'a lot of my best friends are black.'" So forgive me for expecting little from Lions Gate.īut I went to see "Akeelah and the Bee" anyway. On the contrary, a movie like that fills you up with junk but leaves you feeling empty. This movie is a great example that you don’t need to fill a movie with a bunch of foul language, sexual references and potty humor to make it worthwhile. Although there are a few offensive words, they are minor. I want to commend the filmmakers for making this a family-friendly film in all areas. KeKe deserves the honor as she plays this role to perfection. I don’t think there has been another major motion picture featuring an African American girl in the leading role. And KeKe Palmer is outstanding as Akeelah. Lawrence Fishburne does a fantastic job playing her somewhat pompous but loveable spelling coach. The cast of this film is excellent and features Angela Bassett as Akeelah’s overworked, widowed mother. Through it all her spelling coach issues wise words and leads Akeelah to believe in herself and become the best she can be. Inequity in education, racism, and teenage delinquency are all subplots that could have taken over the story, but instead serve to enhance our understanding of Akeelah’s struggles. As we watch her study and advance in the competition, we see her personal and family struggles.
Of course this movie is about much more than a spelling bee. Although worried that the kids will think she’s a “freak or brainiac,” Akeelah goes on to win and then begins to train for the next level eventually leading up to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The principal of her school notices her affinity for spelling and encourages her to enter the school spelling bee.
Akeelah is a typical middle school girl growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood.
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