Director: Doug Atchson
Starring: Laurnce Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have managed to earn a following which is as big as Laurence Fishburne. Following his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Fishburne has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s strong mentors, bold teachers or political leaders, Fishburne has played several strong characters. Arguably, Fishburne’s finest strength as an actor has always been his bold screen presence. He is one of those one-of-a- kind actors which has had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even if he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Fishburne has always left a compelling impression. An actor with strong commitment to his craft, Fishburne has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Although he is arguably best known for his role as Morpheus in Matrix, Fishburne has proven he can make engrossing movies in every genre. Throughout his career, Fishburne has made many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Fishburne and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Akeelah and the Bee” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2006, Doug Atchison’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with powerful production, strong storytelling and astonishing acting, it’s one of the greatest movies made about spelling bees. Ultimately, what makes “Akeelah and the Bee” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Unlike most films about spelling bee competitions, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about spelling bees, there are many strong reasons why “Akeelah and the Bee” is a commemorated film which is worth seeing.
“Akeelah and the Bee” tells the story of a girl which seeks success in a competitive spelling bee. Keke Palmer portrays Akeelah Anderson, a bright young girl that has always had a way with words. Akeelah has often loved to engage with words on the page being drawn towards the English language. However, Akeelah’s life drastically changes when she’s given chances to participate in spelling bee competition that involves danger. Accompanied by her teacher Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), Akeelah is determined to accomplish success in a nerve-wracking competition. As all the odds become stacked against her favour, Akeelah is forced to question whether it’s truly possible for her to become a successful spelling champion with a bright future. Facing a dilemma, Akeelah soon wonders whether it’s possible to achieve goals in intense competitions which involve immense trauma.
Doug Atchison is a newcomer towards stories of spelling bee champions. Before he directed “Akeelah and the Spelling Bee”, Atchison had never made a movie about spelling champions before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of young girls participating in a spelling bee, but he succeeded immensely. Using spellbinding cinematography, Atchison captures a young girl embarking on a journey to participate in a spelling bee. Evoking Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society”, Atchison expertly montages to capture a girl embarking upon a journey to participate in a spelling bee society. For instance, montages enhance the coaching scene. During this memorable scene, Akeelah seeks to prepare for a spelling bee through the help of Dr. Larabee. Using powerful montages, Atchison crafts a portrait of spelling bees that is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to utilize in movies. As Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” suggested, montages often enhance war films. Nevertheless, it works well. Through captivating visuals, Atchison captures spelling bee competitions.
Another admirable aspect of “Akeelah and the Bee” that merits recognition is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Atchison effectively uses costumes to capture the life of a girl engaging in a tense spelling bee. Throughout the movie, Akeelah’s costumes showcase her transformation into a spelling bee champion. For instance, costumes elevate the spelling bee scene. During this bold scene, Akeelah participates in the final rounds of her spelling bee causing tensions. Through stunning costumes, Atchison created a portrait of spelling bees that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is fantastic. Aaron Zigman’s music is key to the success of the film. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the burden spelling bee champions bear. Through phenomenal production, Atchison constructs a strong spelling bee competition.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Akeelah and the Bee” is a film about spelling bees that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture girls in a spelling bee competition. Throughout the movie, Atchison utilizes silences to capture lives of girls in a tense spelling bee experience. For instance, silence elevates the spelling bee aftermath scene. During this engaging scene, Akeelah endures a moment of silent reflection after a spelling bee competition. Through bold sequences of silence, Atchison crafts a portrait of spelling bees audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River” demonstrated, silence enhances murder mysteries. However, it works immensely in this film. Using a strong screenplay, Atchison captures intense spelling bees which come with a frightening price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Laurence Fishburne delivers one of his finest performances as Dr. Larabee. Fishburne first earned appreiceiron for playing wise mentors in science fiction movies. With “Akeelah and the Beel”, however, he took on his most iconic role. It isn’t easy to portray a teacher guiding young kids in a spelling bee but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Fishburne has often excelled playing emotional heroes under pressure, “Akeelah and the Bee” proved his finest strength as an actor. It’s an excellent performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Laurence Fishburne, the supporting cast is also amazing and merits recognition. Angela Bassett is amazing, capturing the regret of a mother seeking to support her daughter in a spelling bee that’s hard to forget. Keke Palmer is phenomenal, capturing the intelligent nature of a young girl participating in a spelling bee competition involving intense pressure. Lastly, Curtis Armstrong merits appreciations. As a high school teacher, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Akeelah and the Bee” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing intense spelling bees causing adversity. Unlike most films about spelling bees, the movie discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including adolescence, mental health and teaching that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with spelling news to enjoy it. It delivers a bold message about education that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Akeelah and the Bee” is one of those one-of-a-kind movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Laurence Fishburne would definitely enjoy “Akeelah and the Bee” and so would audiences seeking educational entertainment. A captivating classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about a young girl participating in a spelling bee that’s terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 