Spellbound
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Movie Reviews of Spellbound
Movie Review: For Anyone Who Believes "Akeelah and the Bee" is Possible
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw Spellbound three years ago. So struck with its political bend, I have twice used it in my own classroom to demonstrate how the American Dream isn't (necessarily) possible . . .
Let's start from the beginning though . . . on both occasions when I screened this film, my students were initial resistant; "A DOCUMENTARY?! Are you kidding?!" But in both instances the students were transfixed in under fifteen minutes. One young woman actually said to me, "Documentary? No, this is a soap-opera!" While I cannot entirely agree with that comment, I can appreciate her enthusiasm:)
Sooo, you have to trust me when I say the both young people and adults can EASILY enjoy this fast-paced, engaging film!
Now for its politics . . . what this film illustrates (without being heavy-handed) is how lower-income families have no chance of winning . . . WHAT-SO-EVER! The preparation involved in becoming a serious contender involves multiple tutors (in multiple languages) and educated parents with extensive free-time (both of which blue-collar and underprivileged families cannot afford). For example, when we see Ashley White enter the competition, we are painfully aware she will fail miserably (and she does). Her inner-city teacher is wildly inept and her mother is barely "a mother" (as you will see, her literacy is as questionable as her parenting skills). She is completely deprived of the opportunity to succeed. (In fact, it is very nearly sadistic to even place her in this competition). Perhaps not surprisingly, shortly after the filming of this piece, Ashley White (a child herself) became pregnant and found herself in a homeless shelter for teens . . . hopes of a "normal" life, dashed. I wonder what Ashley thinks of "Akeelah and the Bee" (on whom this film is loosely based ... see IMDB for further details)? Ask her if it is inspirational . . . or vulgar parody.
What complicates this seemingly "messy" situation is that the winners GENUINELY deserve to win. They invest every ounce of their being into becoming champions. They trade socializing for tutoring and television for word-lists. It is an experience which serves as a bonding-experience for these intensely driven close-knit families. And, it must be emphasized that these are families which are both accomplished and loving. It may seem strange, but you cannot POSSIBLY dislike any one of these nurturing parents. Unlike those overly involved in athletics, these families are completely rational, well-rounded, and educated. They are not "in it" for financial-gain (like myopic "sports-minded" families) but merely for prestige. How refreshing!!
You can watch this film on both levels!! You can enjoy the playfulness of this work as easily as reading its (VERY intentional) politics. Do with it what you wish . . . just give it a chance!! (It will NOT disappoint!!)
Movie Review: Professional competition among kids
Summary: 5 Stars
Every year people across USA get to watch live the National Spelling Bee competition, which gathers the 249 "lucky" kids who survived from the total of 9 million who started the path. This movie presents the journey of eight kids to get to the Nationals, how their peers, parents and teachers react and how these children manage to handle the pressure. One of the thoughts I had when I was watching this movie was how difficult it must be for some of these kids to live with the high expectations their inner circle imposes upon them. Of course, the burden is a lot heavier in some cases than in others, but in all the examples shown, one gets the idea that the level of nervousness is a lot higher than in any other activity the children may participate in. For example, in the case of football, there may be situations in a game in which a player is under pressure, but this usually does not last long, the kid has the support from other teammates and the responsibility shifts among players. In the case of the spelling bee, one mistake and it's over!
In some cases the expectations of the fathers are tremendous. Neil spells 7,000 to 8,000 words a day when he is close to a competition. His mother comments: "When you fight in a war everybody has the same goal". His father tutors him when he can, and pays for several tutors, one for each different root language. In my opinion this can only be detrimental for Neil, and you can see his fear every time he has to go up to the microphone and spell. On the other hand, you have kids like Harry, who is very talkative and joking all the time, plays the guitar and studies spelling only one hour to one and a half hours per day.
I enjoyed this movie because I think it may present a reality check for a lot of parents that have their kids in spelling competitions. The message I got from it was that if you keep an attitude that allows the kid to have fun while learning and doing the best he can, then you and your kid will be a lot happier than if you impose the competition as a job (or allow the child to take it that way).
For those of you that enjoyed watching the National Spelling Bee in the past, this will be an opportunity to view the highlights of the 1999 finals again. Whether you are interested in the effects that the competition have on the children or in the excitement of this contest, this is a movie that you will enjoy.
Movie Review: As riveting and suspenseful as any film you're likely to see
Summary: 5 Stars
In the past, I've occasionally stumbled upon ESPN's live coverage of the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee contest conducted in Washington, DC. I never paid much attention because the event never seemed to be all that exciting. However, this 2002 documentary of the 1999 National Spelling Bee is anything but boring.In the beginning, the viewer is given brief but informative backgrounds on each of the film's eight subjects. The one thing that begins to come across almost immediately is how much these kids care about competing and succeeding and the fact that the parents of each care almost as much (or perhaps even more in some cases) as the kids themselves. Most of the parents spend their free time helping the kids practice spelling words.
We're told early on that nine million kids participate in spelling bees every year and that only 249 will make it to Washington, DC. The fact that these 8 (and the other 241 who are not a focus of the film) have already won numerous local and regional spelling bees within their own states is an accomplishment itself. That one will end up being the best speller out of nine million (and beat the best of the best), is simply amazing.
As the film focuses more and more on the national competition, I found myself becoming nervous right along with the kids and parents, hoping that I wouldn't hear that little bell at the end of a misspelled word which tells the participant that they may now exit stage right as it is all over with. I wanted all eight to win but the one I found myself rooting for the most was Neil Kadakia, a 12 year old Indian boy from San Clemente, California. His dedication, as well as that of his parents (particularly his father, who makes some encouraging and appreciative comments about the USA) was incredible. It is mentioned that Neil and his father studied thousands, yes thousands, of words a day in preparation. I'll not spoil the outcome for those who haven't seen it. Maybe one of the eight wins, maybe they don't.
Moreover, this is a remarkable depiction of dedicated people. Unlike some so-called "documentary filmmakers", director Jeffrey Blitz is content to make a true documentary by allowing his subjects and their surroundings tell the story. Like other great documentaries (Harlan County USA, American Dream, The Thin Blue Line) this is also a great film.
Movie Review: Congradulations, spelling chapms!
Summary: 5 Stars
I participated in the Scripps-Howard Bee in 1977, although I was ousted at the city level (my word was "justification"; I left out one of the middle "I"s).
These eight participants (11 if you count the DVD extras) are a cross-section of America, and their "Where are they now" pieces reflect this, and yes, this does include Ashley White, the inner-city black girl who became a homeless single teenage mother. Only the Indian stage father, who coached his son 8 hours a day and promised to buy meals for 5,000 hungry Indians if his son won, was really an unappealing person, as was the apparently well-to-do divorced mother in the extra who clearly lived her life through her kids' accomplishments. The other parents appeared to be supportive of their children but not pushy. The teacher who said Indian kids "always" have a spectacular work ethic made me cringe a bit as well. My personal favorite was Allyson, the 10-year-old who papered the walls at home with neon Post-Its with various big words written on them. This child was dedicated!
After watching the live telecast of the finals last year, I imagined those kids going home and doing things like sitting upside down on the couch with their Ipods, or my co-worker whose 11-year-old son had awakened him and his wife a few days earlier at 4am to tell them he was going to throw up ("And why are you in here telling us this? Would you just go to the bathroom?), and stuff like that. Same thing with these kids.
If a 4 1/2 star review was possible, that's what I would give it because I would have liked to have seen a little more from past winners. I especially enjoyed the interview with the very first winner from 1925, who was about 90 years old and you could tell his mind was as sharp as it was on that day 70-plus years ago.
They will be showing the finals once again this year, and I plan to watch it again.
p.s. A group of benefactors, upon learning of Ms. White's plight, have made arrangements for her to attend Howard University, and she is an honor student while living in transitional housing and raising her daughter. I wonder what happened in her family that she couldn't live with her mom any more.
Movie Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
JEFF Blitz's astonishing documentary follows eight children in their early teens as they prepare for, and take part in the National Spelling Bee. As they progress from their regional competitions to the televised finals in D.C., they are shown researching and testing themselves, romping through well-thumbed dictionaries and running the spellcheck gauntlet.Had this been the sum of it, this would have made a mildly interesting film about competitive children. But Spellbound explores the family background of each child, stealthily revealing the roots of their obsession. The result is a powerful, moving and often very funny exploration of what it is to be an American.
Widely differing in social class, ethnic origin and levels of wealth, the families show support for their children in many different ways. Angela's story is particularly extraordinary. A pale teenage girl with a mouthful of braces and a ready smile, she is the daughter of Mexican illegal immigrants, neither of whom speaks a word of English. Her self-taught English is impeccable and she devises methods of word-association with graphs and maps that would credit an etymology scholar. Watching her pore over her handmade charts while her ranch-hand father rounds up the cows is unbearably moving.
Equally touching is the story of Ashley, the oldest daughter of a black single mother living in the projects. With two uncles " incarcerated", Ashley calmly reveals that she prays to God to assist her in overcoming the many obstacles of her underprivileged position.
Then there is the hyperactive Harry and the hulking Ted, an isolated giant with a near-genius IQ and serial killer's eyes, who lives in a trailer with his parents and a brother who "loves guns".
Blitz chances upon several moments that serious documentary-makers would die for. A sign put up by the community to cheer on their local champion, a young Asian girl, reads "Congradulations Nupur". During the tense finals, the heavily pressurised Neil, a serious East Indian boy whose parents are the nightmare aspect of the American Dream, has to spell "Darjeeling" - a word entirely unknown to him.