There's been little buzz about "Akeelah and the Bee." And its inspirational plot — inner-city underdog overcomes the odds and becomes a winner — is more After-School Special than special. But "Akeelah" is the sort of sleeper you don't see coming: a feel-good movie that also feels genuine, even when it's at its most rah-rah. Read the full review
A precocious 11-year-old girl from south Los Angeles is discovered to have a talent for words. In spite of the objections of her mother, Akeelah enters a spelling contest. Her gift takes her to compete in the National Spelling Bee.
Director: Doug Atchison
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal
Run time: 112 minutes
Release date: April 28, 2006
Rating: PG for some language.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: A-
"... a delight despite its occasional tendency toward formula and preachiness."
The Palm Beach Post: B+
"... churns the emotions, managing to be quite touching and only borderline manipulative."
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