Movie Review: Akeelah and the Bee
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What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that the movie includes mild language
(the s-word) and early on, some "attitude" from the young girl
at its center. But her "ghetto" vernacular is a show to try to
"fit in," a thematic concern throughout the film, for the girl
and adults around her. A related theme is coping with loss; a
couple of sad conversations recall the deaths of loved ones
(one by gun violence, another by disease), and divorce.
Characters lie to protect loved ones, and must make amends. In
a couple of scenes, the mother and daughter argue. A couple of
women characters wear tight tops; the girl's coach has a drink
one evening alone.
Families can discuss the importance of pursuing one's interests and dreams, especially as this can inspire collaborations. How does Akeelah's success inspire others to feel part of a group, as her spelling becomes a community project? How can you be true to lost loved ones by moving forward into the future?
Common Sense Media Review
Intelligent and charming, AKEELAH AND THE BEE traces the
delicate, courageous process of a little girl's growing up.
Akeelah (Keke Palmer) is a resolute, self-protecting
11-year-old with a gift for spelling. Trying to "fit in" with
her classmates at a middle school in Los Angeles' Crenshaw
district, she misses her father (killed by gunfire when she was
six) and doesn't see enough of her hardworking mother Tanya
(Angela Bassett) or starting-to-act-tough brother.
After she wins a classwide bee, her principal (Curtis Armstrong) takes a personal interest in having her compete: the film allows that he wants to promote the school, but he's also drawn to the earnestness of this brilliant girl who's been "left behind" by a dysfunctional and underfunded school system. He solicits the help of a friend who's in need of some help himself, the imposing Dr. Larabee (played by the perfect Laurence Fishburne). He agrees to coach Akeelah, with the understanding that she will cease her "ghetto" talk, take her studies seriously, and above all, believe in herself.
Akeelah doesn't quite trust this interloper, and is disinclined to give up what she understands as her individuality to accommodate him. Larabee, however, points out that her notion of independence is only conformity. "Leave that ghetto talk outside," he instructs when she visits him in his garden. "Here you will speak properly or you won't speak at all." The man won't tolerate "insolent little girls."
The film focuses on Akeelah's time with adults -- her growing respect for Larabee and his increasing trust of her; her evolving relationship with her practical-minded and hardworking Tanya (Angela Bassett), who at first prohibits her from competing. This means Akeelah spends the first part of the film lying to her mom, more or less standard plotting in a "kids' competition" film.
But it is in her relationships with other kids that Akeelah becomes unusual even within her formula film. She goes through some back-and-forth with her best friend at school, Kiana (Erica Hubbard), who thrills to Akeelah's success initially, then feels left out of the bee crowd. This consists of montage spellers at the microphone and a couple of consistent competitors, her new friend Javier (J.R. Villarreal), and a rival, Dylan (Sean Michael). They make her feel like less of a misfit, because they share her interests, her drive, and, at least to an extent, her gift.
In large part, the film's delights have to do with Palmer's winning performance, most apparent in one-on-one scenes with Tanya or Larabee. But the movie has something else going on as well. Embracing the conventions that make so many other genre films feel stale, Akeelah torques them slightly too. Akeelah finds her spelling in a particular sort of physical rhythm, tapping out letters on her thigh with her fingers or hearing the letters in her head as she jumps rope. She not only embodies her gift and her passion, but she also inspires new ways of thinking about intellectual activities. When Larabee tells her that he needs "a lot of order" in his life, Akeelah demonstrates ways that order might be felt.
Families who enjoy this movie will also like the documentary Spellbound, Bee Season (which follows a similar plot), and Stand and Deliver.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
