Fridae

The National Spelling Bee was first given exposure in the wonderful 2002 documentary Spellbound — the film focussed on eight very different children who are in the competition to win the Spelling Bee, but in Akeela and the Bee, we zoom in on one 11-year-old girl and her quest for the Bee. The film shines because of the young Keke Palmer's incredible performance as Akeela, and is heartwarming and perfectly suited as family entertainment.

Akeela (Keke Palmer) lives with her single mum (Angela Bassett), brother, and a sister who has just given birth to a child herself. When shunned by schoolmates for being too smart, Akeela decides to downplay her intelligence — that is, until her principal tells her that she has been entered to the school Spelling Bee. Soon, it becomes clear that Akeela has a talent for the Bee, and finds herself on her way to the National Spelling Bee, aided by a demanding vocal coach (Laurence Fishburne). However, it is a journey beset with difficulties and obstacles that could defeat even the most spirited child.

Central to the film is Keke Palmer's performance, and it is amazing that a 12-year-old can hold her own when acting against heavyweights like Bassett and Fishburne. The script is also richly layered and designed to make the audience root for Akeela, and with Keke's charismatic performance, this film is not only good entertainment, but a life-affirming one as well.