Akeelah and the bee characters

2006 film chunk Doug Atchison

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American pageant film written and directed fail to notice Doug Atchison. It tells say publicly story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps State-run Spelling Bee, her mother (Angela Bassett), her schoolmates, and jewels coach, Dr.

Joshua Larabee (Laurence Fishburne). The cast also complexion Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal, Sean Michael Afable, Erica Hubbard, Histrion Thompson Young, Julito McCullum, Desert Garey, Eddie Steeples, and Tzi Ma.

The film was educated over a period of 10 years by Atchison, who came up with the initial abstraction after seeing the 1994 Publisher National Spelling Bee and script that a majority of distinction competitors came from well-off socioeconomic backgrounds.

After completing the dialogue in 1999, Atchison won see to of the Nicholl Fellowships shoulder Screenwriting in 2000, which drawn producers Sid Ganis and Queer Hult Ganis. After an primary inability to secure funding, rendering project got a second gust as a result of primacy success of the 2002 film film Spellbound. Lionsgate Films undertook the production in 2004 focus on in the following year on the level was filmed in South Los Angeles on a budget thoroughgoing over $6 million.

Atchison remarked that his theme for interpretation film, deemed an inspirational single, was about overcoming obstacles disdain difficult challenges along the passing. He also said that crystal-clear wanted to portray African Americans in a manner that was not stereotypical and tried acquaintance show how African-American children embrace some stereotypes.

The film alludes to the importance of humanity as well as to bring pressure to bear on black communities face. It extremely deals with esteem and doubtfulness in school while criticizing nobleness public school system. Cast helpers said that although the hide was aimed at children, they considered it had important charge order for the parents as on top form.

Released in the United States on April 28, 2006, Akeelah and the Bee was definitely received by critics and audiences. Reviewers praised its storyline vital cast, lauding Palmer's performance, though a few critics panned excellence story as familiar and formulaic, and were critical of class portrayal of Asian-American characters.

Ethics film grossed $19 million, playing field received a number of laurels and nominations, including the Begrimed Reel Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Film critics much praised it for avoiding African-American stereotypes common in Hollywood pictures, while scholars were less approbatory, even saying it reinforces manifold clichés.

Plot

Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old spelling enthusiast, attends Crenshaw Harmony School, a predominantly black secondary in SouthLos Angeles.

She lives with her widowed mother, Tanya, her three older siblings, Kiana, Devon, and Terrence, and amalgam infant niece, Mikayla. Her topmost, Mr. Welch, suggests that she sign up for the Crenshaw Schoolwide Spelling Bee, which she initially refuses. After being imperilled with detention for the hint of the semester, due outlook her skipping school numerous cycle, she enters the spelling bee and wins.

Dr. Joshua Larabee, a visiting English professor, who was watching the Crenshaw Schoolwide Spelling Bee gives Akeelah hard words after she won disgruntlement schoolwide bee and decides delay she is good enough unexpected compete in the Scripps Ceremonial Spelling Bee. However, Dr. Larabee later declines to coach give someone his because Akeelah was rude turn into him when she went know his house to ask him to coach her.

As smashing result, Akeelah studies on send someone away own to prepare for say publicly district spelling bee. Although Akeelah misspells her word during primacy final round of the bee, she gets another chance conform qualify for the regional bee after Kiana catches one near the other finalists cheating. Akeelah also meets and befriends Javier Mendez, a 12-year-old Mexican-American girlhood and fellow speller.

Javier invites her to join the orthography club at his Woodland Hills middle school.

At Woodland Hills, Akeelah meets Dylan Chiu, regular Chinese-American boy who won alternate place at the past a handful of national spelling bees and deterioration in his final year bear out eligibility. Contemptuous after Akeelah misspells a word, he tells companion she needs a coach.

At a later date, Javier invites Akeelah to reward birthday party, while Tanya decay depressed over Terrence's bad address, Akeelah's grades and frequent absence, and her husband's death go back the hands of a bandit five years prior. When she finds out about Akeelah dodge alone to Woodland Hills, she forbids Akeelah from participating attach the regional bee and stay her to take summer kindergarten to make up for restlessness skipped classes.

To circumvent that prohibition, Akeelah forges her somebody father's signature on the comply form and secretly studies sound out Dr. Larabee.

At Javier's band together, Akeelah nearly beats Dylan join Scrabble. Afterwards, Akeelah overhears Dylan's overly competitive, overbearing father abusive her and berating his unconventional behaviour for nearly losing to "a little black girl".

During rectitude state bee, Tanya comes emotions and interrupts her daughter earlier she can spell her chat. Tanya chastises Akeelah for dire to the bee without disgruntlement permission but relents after dinky side discussion with Dr. Larabee and Mr. Welch. Javier protects Akeelah from disqualification by preventative until she can return.

Vocalist, Javier and Akeelah advance unnoticeably the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

As Christmas approaches, Akeelah goes out to buy Dr. Larabee a present, but when she meets him, he reveals ramble he is quitting being move together coach because she reminds him of his deceased daughter, Denise; she died of an spurofthemoment terminal illness when she was younger than Akeelah.

Instead, Dr. Larabee gives Akeelah 5,000 flashcards to study. Without her governor, rejected by her best magazine columnist Georgia, and feeling the power from her neighborhood residents turn into make them proud, Akeelah loses her motivation. However, Tanya tells her that if she looked around her, she would accomplish that she has "50,000 coaches".

Akeelah recruits her family brothers, classmates, teachers, friends, and neighbors to prepare in earnest. Funding reuniting with Dr. Larabee, Akeelah goes to Washington, D.C., disagree with him, along with Tanya, Colony, Mr. Welch, and Devon, oblivious that her coach has cashed for four of their tickets. Georgia rekindles her friendship get a feel for Akeelah after she invites lose control.

During the competition, Akeelah becomes a crowd favorite. Once integral of the other contestants try out, there are only digit left, the two being Songwriter and Akeelah. The two finalists are allowed a break, all along which Akeelah overhears Dylan's priest harshly pressuring him to magnify, so Akeelah attempts to wilfully lose.

Dylan, fed up cop his father's competitiveness, intentionally misspells the word as well. Vocalizer tells Akeelah that he wants a fair competition. The brace then proceed to spell now and then word listed by the book until the two are proclaimed co-champions. After Akeelah spells "pulchritude" (the same word she misspelled at the beginning of character film), she is officially professed a winner.

Cast

Three hundred girls auditioned for the role of Akeelah in Los Angeles, New Dynasty and Atlanta, with Palmer taking accedence auditioned five times to roleplay the part.^[8][9] Atchison liked Palmer's acting, but the major principle in choosing her was interpretation fact that at only hold up ten Palmer already had neat as a pin profound interpretation of the script.^[9] He chose her as crystalclear did not want a babe-in-arms whom he would command nevertheless instead someone with whom settle down could have a collaboration: weak who would understand the r“le and "would make this chart her own".

He just aided her to fully ensure delay she would understand the character's feelings and would make "the right emotional choices".^[11]

Fishburne was be bothered by the concept of significance film, stating he was "really moved by it", so meander he accepted to take wreath part "at an affordable rate", according to producer Michael Romersa.

He first read the hand in 2002 and moved spawn the fact that "there were very few people with justness courage" to "make this mode of movie"^[b] he also be a success to be a producer collaboration the film.^[14] About the classify, Atchison said that Larabee task "vulnerable" and "a very in agreement guy" that has "a have to do with moral authority".

He also ostensible that Fishburne made Larabee "a fairly buttoned-up, stoic type" wallet "subtly more animated" than yet he envisioned the character.^[16] Larabee is based upon a instructor, Robert Larabell, Atchison had mull it over Phoenix, Arizona.^[14][17]

Bassett's agent sent out the script which she "just loved".^[6][18] Atchison praised Bassett's performing of the character, asserting she "made Tanya a real person" after understanding "the thought condition of the character".

The supervisor said Tanya wants the defeat for Akeelah but is distant because she thinks "the vision will fail and make different worse". Bassett stressed that rustle up character has to handle nobility pain of her husband's get in addition to having coinage paid^[18] but that Tanya "gain[s] some measure of courage herself" inspired by Akeelah.^[6]

Atchison pointed Satchmo "was the perfect choice operate the school principal".

About her highness character role in the ep, he said, "Welch is realize excitable and provides a collection of the comic relief incorporate our story."

Villarreal was chosen exceed scouts at the Sheraton Motel in south McAllen to throw in to the next phase family unit Dallas.^[21] After doing well inconvenience Dallas, he was sent dealings auditions in California and in the end got the part.^[22] He commented that "Javier is a statement good friend to Akeelah ...

And also like his tendency, his character, he can at all times put a smile on your face. He really doesn't distress signal what people think of him that much and he helps Akeelah out with that minor matter because she cares excavate much what people think get a move on her."^[23]

• Sean Michael Afable as Vocalist Chiu (Chinese: 邱德倫; pinyin: Qiū Délún):

Akeelah's rival who can quip "sometimes harsh and seemingly cutthroat", but this is because slant the pressure his father puts on him.

Afable notes depart Dylan's "true character" is idiosyncratic at the end of representation film.^[24]

• Sahara Garey as Georgia Carver

Garey did "about six auditions" survive take the role.^[25] She commented that about her character: "she encourages Akeelah, because she sees so many qualities in stifle that she doesn't think she herself has.

Georgia aims careless, but she encourages Akeelah denigration aim higher."^[26]

Erica Hubbard, Lee Archaeologist Young, and Julito McCullum sketch Akeelah's sister and brothers Kiana, Devon, and Terrence, respectively. Dalia Phillips appears as Akeelah's guru, Ms. Cross,^[1] and Eddie Steeples as Derrick T.Tzi Ma takes the role of Mr.

Chiu, Dylan's father,^[1] while Wolfgang Bodison plays Tanya's unnamed husband.

Production

Writing

Doug Atchison first had the idea oppress making a film about orthography bees after watching the Publisher National Spelling Bee of 1994 and noticing that most be taken in by the contestants had "privileged backgrounds".

Atchison also considered spelling bees to contain "all the play and tension and entertainment duration of a sporting event", topmost felt that this could facsimile made into a film.^[29][30] Escape this, he got the doctrine to write a script masses the story of a son who had talent for orthography bee but was from span low-income neighborhood so did call "have access to the means or coaching to pursue be off as these other kids had".^[11] He had the desire mislay making a "Rocky-like story" abide although made it a "dramatic" plot, he declared it obey "essentially a sports movie".^[11]

Atchison going on his screenplay in 1999, while in the manner tha he wrote a five-page use convention in about a month.^[29] Referee addition to the fact yes was working on other projects, Atchison said he waited discretion before starting to write by reason of he "thought someone else would do it first".

This upfront not happen, so he began to write by himself.^[30] Rare changes were made in leadership process of transitioning from excellence original draft to the closing product. One change was ditch at first, Akeelah's mother abstruse a smaller role and Akeelah's father was alive. Also, Larabee had been an older fellow (72 years old), and systematic few characters were cut.

Even, Atchison has summarized that "the steps she goes through, greatness friends she's got, those were always the same."^[29]

Development

In 2000, Atchison submitted his script to position Academy of Motion Picture Subject and Sciences along with befall 4,500 others, in hopes concede winning the Nicholl Fellowships develop Screenwriting.

Atchison's script ended be positioned being one of five scripts selected, and he won blue blood the gentry grant.^[31] Editor Glenn Farr, proof a member of the assembly, offered to edit Atchison's coat as soon as it was finished.^[16] Producer Sid Ganis was also attracted to the appear during the award presentation ceremony.Nancy Hult Ganis, Sid's wife who was interested in public tuition, encouraged him to follow achieve your goal with the film.

The film was produced by Lionsgate Films, 2929 Entertainment, Starbucks Entertainment, Out pale the Blue Entertainment, Reactor Pictures and Cinema Gypsy Productions,^[a] manage a budget around $6–8 million.^[3][4] However, the Ganis couple intense it difficult to secure scholarship for the film.

In Lordly 2001, Danny Llewelyn's Panoptic Films acquired the rights of Atchison's script.^[32] In 2002, documentary Spellbound was released and attracted acclaim to spelling bees, which, according to Hult Ganis, "helped at large in some way". In Nov 2004, Lionsgate Films announced they would fund and distribute ethics film;^[33] and in collaboration mount 2929 Entertainment they would co-finance the production.^[34] In January 2006, Starbucks announced a partnership go-slow Lionsgate to market it.^[35]

Another shame in not having a building attached before was Atchison's hope for to direct it as smartness wanted to ensure his tale would remain the one why not?

envisioned. Several studios wanted talk turn Larabee's character into skilful white character but Atchison matte "it was important that Akeelah's mentor be someone that be accessibles from her neighborhood, that presence like her."^[11] Lionsgate's President signify Production Michael Paseornek agreed wander Atchison should direct the calligraphy, claiming that he was probity only person who could carry on it because the story "was in his heart and bring to fruition his mind".

Filming

Filming began in Feb 2005;^[36] the crew filmed bring ten hours a day be thankful for thirty-one days.^[29] The eleven-year-old Pilgrim had to follow the Pooled States' child labor laws, which necessitated spending at least couple hours a day at nursery school, one on recreation, and sole at lunch.^[29] Nevertheless, Palmer arrived in almost every scene, regarding which Ganis commented, "I uprightly don't know how we figured it out, but we did".

To get the filming accomplished on time, Atchison storyboarded description scenes ahead of time nearby chatted with cinematographer David Mullen, the production designer Warren In the springtime of li, and Glenn Farr to amass a list of scenes.^[29] That way, the filming team began each day knowing what shots they would take, their fasten, and the performances scheduled pray each day.^[29] Most of position filming took place in Southward Los Angeles, which Atchison choice as the filming location birthright to their low budget.^[9] Scenes were also filmed at rendering University of Southern California, Feel Palladium—which stood in for position Grand Ballroom of the Educator, D.C.

Hyatt Hotel—and Venice Lighten School.

Authenticity

To bring authenticity to goodness film's portrayal of spelling bees, George Hornedo, who competed bundle spelling bees in real living thing, was hired to play contender Roman and be "an warm technical consultant". Hornedo helped primacy actors to recreate "certain principles and idiosyncrasies they do swot up on stage to help them spell".

Thus, Akeelah skipping rope raise memorize the words was prep added to as "something that was average for the spelling bee" on the contrary Atchison tried to create consist of in a "subtle" way introduce he thought the audience could consider this unrealistic.^[38] Hornedo roost other children who had under no circumstances acted before were cast in that of their authentic portrayals set in motion nervous contestants; other kids, gratify Atchison's eyes, were "too age in how they acted".^[30] Additionally, Jacques Bailly, who won high-mindedness Scripps National Spelling Bee detect 1980 and is currently representation contest's official pronouncer, since 2003, played himself in the film.^[39]

To further help the staff, Atchison asked Paige Kimball, director doomed the Scripps National Spelling Bee, to be a consultant.

Kimball "was amazed at not single at how precise it was in its recreation, but likewise how authentic the individuals ahead the casting for the episode was". However, she and class organization did have some disagreements. Atchison has admitted that do something originally created a more intense story than she wanted.

Still, he believed most of distinction disagreements were about technical procedures, "things you wouldn't even notice". For example, the children were originally sponsored by newspapers be compete, but Atchison felt that detail did not improve picture story, so he removed criterion. There were some concerns scale the screenplay, and Atchison discrepant some of them "because [he] thought it didn't matter pick your way way or another so [he] just made them happy."^[29]

Music

Main article: Akeelah and the Bee (soundtrack)

The film features a musical feature by Aaron Zigman, who wrote 45 minutes of compositions meticulous two and a half weeks.

He had planned to feature Akeelah and the Bee on the button the holidays, but Lionsgate abet its release date up, straight-faced Zigman was pressed for at an earlier time to write the score.^[40] Elegance drew inspiration from Fishburne's reputation to write it.^[41] A track record album consisting of 16 footprints was released by Lionsgate Rolls museum in a deal with BMG's RED Distribution on April 4, 2006.^[42][43] It peaked at broadcast 193 on the Billboard Cardinal, and reached the 19th stream sixth spot on the Billboard Top Independent Albums and Ascension Soundtracks respectively.^[44] The original laboratory analysis, consisting of 37 tracks, was also released on April 4 as an iTunes exclusive.^[45][46]

Themes bear analysis

If you see African-American daughters striving to do something outline the movies, it's sports critic singing or dancing.

Here, we're engaging kids on their belief. That, you don't see. These lies about black inferiority have to one`s name been seeping into cinema, allow that seeps into our young. As a filmmaker, you crapper dig into these issues

— Doug Atchison^[3]

Commentators on Akeelah and the Bee opined it dealt with multifarious themes, including race and racism,^[48] poverty, educational system,^[50][51] competition spreadsheet sportsmanship,^[51][52] self-esteem,self-image,^[54] stigma,^[50] community,^[50][55] friendship,^[56] gender and sexism, age,class^[57] very last classism,^[48] and empowerment.^[50] Atchison stated doubtful that its focus is call for the spelling but "a mollycoddle who learns what she's agreeable at, becomes proud of drift and doesn't want to deduct it anymore.

It's overcoming prestige fear of being great, earlier you can be great." Sid Ganis described it as span film "about hope and involvement great things against all representation odds", while a New Royalty Press reviewer declared it "addresses the human condition".^[57]

After attending USC School of Cinematic Arts famous working at a youth affections in South Los Angeles,^[29] Atchison incorporated his experiences from say publicly neighborhood into the film; mid them, he heard that issue who do well in institute are said to be "acting white".

As a result, Atchison tried to use the layer to show what causes these children to doubt their beg off abilities.^[30] These doubts are shown through the preconceptions Akeelah president other community members have dump "Spelling Bee is for generous else".^[34] She "must first overtop her feelings of inadequacy",^[34] presentday when she discovers Larabee be accessibles from her neighborhood and abridge a successful man, it "empowers her to ...

accomplish that task." Fishburne stated the film's treatment of race extends out of reach the dichotomy of struggle boss success, and goes into goodness prejudice that many people cap against black people competing of the essence mainstream society. Atchison elaborated, "it's about this girl's insecurity soldier on with doing a thing that she hasn't seen people who hit it off like her doing".^[3] The pretentious affirmed that African-American children flowerbed film usually aspire to folding other than being successful anxiety sports, music or dance.

Prohibited argued that the film effort has disseminated "lies about coal-black inferiority", so he was intent in focusing on their rationality rather than let them surrender to the stereotypes. Atchison illustrious he had created the layout for all audiences "but addon for kids of color have got to see a little black lad who does something powerful."^[3]

The leader also attributed Akeelah's low-esteem come to rest doubt of her own gifts to the public school practice, where she is bullied forward "her intellectual curiosity is strict of crushed".^[11] As such, Akeelah is portrayed as an "undermotivated student",^[1] who "unwilling to put right stigmatized as a freak limited a brainiac", avoids showing multifaceted abilities.^[50] According to Wesley Moneyman of The Boston Globe, depiction film shows "the contradiction capable students feel in an distant environment".^[59] Ann Hornaday from The Washington Post opined that Akeelah's sentence "Why would I long for to represent a school put off doesn't even have doors seriousness the toilets?" is "one an assortment of the film's many subtle critiques of the country's education policies."^[55] Writing in the English Journal, Amanda L.

Hodges said touch suggests a new approach puzzle teaching with the "50,000 coaches" part; she declared it deconstructs the image of teachers "as those who keep order dowel disseminate knowledge" and shows make certain "teaching is not an single activity that begins and disparaging at the classroom door".^[60]

Villarreal commented that the film "teaches restore confidence not to let your guests down",^[56] while Fishburne and Hornaday highlighted its theme of community.^[55] Marrit Ingman of The Austin Chronicle said the film indicates "a community-based, cooperative model announcement group success",^[51] while Justin Yangtze of Variety said it "focuses ...

on the bee's community-uniting impact."^[1] Hodges said Akeelah goes to the spelling bee as she recognizes it "proves rove someone from their neighborhood pot achieve success, and her conquest is, in a real complex, their own".^[60] In contrast, Physiologist Beck wrote for Multicultural Perspectives that it depicts "the benefit of individual perseverance", while Red Feather Journal's Kathryn Linder verbal a similar opinion about evident success.

Nevertheless, Kenneth Turan bequest the Los Angeles Times commented "it raises important points identify the ... obstacles to come off that kids from poor neighborhoods face."^[50] The New York Press's reviewer went further and oral social class was its "real subject" as it "depicts high-mindedness basics of class mobility drift are routinely taken for granted".^[57] However, Chang asserted it shows the spelling bee contest sort "a democratizing force",^[1] while Plunder Asghar, for The Seattle Times, wrote it treats English by the same token "the quintessential American tool fit in success."^[63]

Both Fishburne and Bassett as well remarked that an important report of Akeelah and the Bee is to "speak properly" fairly than strictly in vernacular, even supposing Bassett emphasized the importance exercise the film's themes beyond orthography and spelling bees.^[14][18] Atchison extend that beyond learning how march spell words, Akeelah must learn by rote the importance of the way with words.

He said that Larabee "looks at Akeelah as a budding leader. He wants her persecute understand her history. She requirements to know the importance place language – and competition."^[30] Execute spite of knowing its desirability, it "deconstruct[s] the 'competition' family of learning", according to Ingman.^[51] Fishburne noted not only lineage but parents can learn dismiss the film; in his judgement, the most important is stray they should pay attention here their children's abilities.^[14] Villarreal too felt that, through Dylan's curate, parents would be able collect ponder if they are "push[ing] their kids to follow their own dreams and not rectitude children's dreams."^[23]

Release and reception

Marketing cope with release

The film was promoted infant coffee shop chain Starbucks because a result of a gathering between Lions Gate Entertainment final Starbucks Entertainment.^[64] In January 2006, approximately 8,300 Starbucks locations predicament the United States and Canada began a promotional campaign misunderstand the film involving spelling-related object games and promotions on unlifelike cup sleeves.^[35][65]Variety stated that Lionsgate spent around $20 million interview its market only,^[66] while Los Angeles Times reported a $25-million cost to both produce duct market the film.^[67]Ford Motor Bystander also sponsored the film get ahead of providing a Lincoln Zephyr set a limit chauffeur the cast and creators to and from a screening.^[68]

Akeelah and the Bee was regulate shown at the 2006 ShoWest on March 14,^[69] and next premiered as the opening layer at the 30th Cleveland Worldwide Film Festival on March 16.^[70] On April 20, the pick up was screened at The School of Motion Picture Arts tell Sciences in Beverly Hills,^[68] come to rest it had a sneak opening in 900 theaters on Apr 22.^[64][71] With predictions of difficult box-office returns by film critics,^[64][72] it was released nationwide sufficient theaters on April 28, grossing $6,011,585 in its opening weekend from around 2,195 American theaters and ranking eighth at rectitude box office.^[4] The film over its run on July 14 and 20 domestically and internationally respectively, with $18,848,430 domestically humbling $110,994 internationally.^[4] While the single received positive reviews, critics acclaimed that it was not contact as well financially as they had predicted,^[73][74] and Lionsgate's Archangel Burns characterized the film's clear with the word "only".^[75]

Outside significance United States, the film debuted at the Sprockets Toronto Universal Film Festival for Children leave town April 23, 2006,^[76] where was elected the best integument by the kids in say publicly ages of 10 and 11.^[77] In the United Kingdom, Akeelah and the Bee was foremost shown at the Cambridge Vinyl Festival on July 7,^[78] increase in intensity it premiered in the Brits theaters on August 18.^[79][80] Greatness film was also screened summon October 2006 at the Scuffle Film Festival, in which get a breath of air competed at the Alicy require the City section.^[81]

Home media

The vinyl was released on DVD contempt Lionsgate Home Entertainment on Revered 29, 2006, becoming the eminent DVD offered for sale excite Starbucks.^[82] Its bonus features evince the single-disc DVD include cardinal deleted scenes and a 25-minute making-of video featuring Atchinson favour the cast.^[83] DVD sales give back the United States reached $5,391,947 as 317,942 copies were put on the market after one week on trade.

By December 2006, American selling had spent a total adherent $25,855,396 to purchase 1,512,498 copies,^[84] making it one of say publicly three most profitable home television releases of Lionsgate in 2006.^[85]

Critical reaction

The film received generally selfpossessed reviews from film critics.

Significance review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an 85% approval whirling based on 141 reviews, unwanted items an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critical consensus discovers, "A warm, family-friendly underdog narrative, featuring terrific supporting performances plant Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, dowel Angela Bassett".^[91] On Metacritic, depiction film has an average heavy score of 72 out Cardinal, based on 30 critics, hinting at "generally favorable reviews".^[92]CinemaScore reported put off audiences gave the film deft rare^[93] average grade of "A+"—a feat only 52 films reached between 1982 and 2011.^[94]National Object of ridicule of Review elected it centre of the best ten independent pictures produced in 2006.^[95] Additionally, glimmer film critics, Chris Kaltenbach refer to The Baltimore Sun and Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, added the film on their list of the ten blow films of the year.^[96][97]St.

Besieging Times's Steve Persall elected proceedings the best family film pay no attention to 2006.^[98]African American Literature Book Baton elected it as the pre-eminent black film of 2006, trade in well as chose Fishburne since the second best actor, extract Palmer and Basset as greatness second and eighth best respectively.^[99]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote it is "an uncommonly good movie, entertaining keep from actually inspirational".^[52] Writing for Film Journal International, Doris Toumarkine imperishable its pace and how "Atchison takes spelling competitions and conveys the excitement of the 'sport,' the appeal of the 'game,' the thrill of the spitting image, [and] the crushing blow claim the loss".^[100] Hornaday from The Washington Post called the ep "a triumph on many levels" and especially appreciated that Southern Los Angeles was presented stay away from stereotypes.^[55] Jane Clifford of U-T San Diego felt the ep would appeal to both progeny and adults, and stated deviate every time she tried detain predict its plot "it took a sharp turn.

A jaunt that leaves you facing your stereotypes and feeling a petite sheepish".^[56]Dana Stevens, writing for The New York Times, asserted, "The innate suspense and charm motionless the spelling bee", and "a trio of crack performances" throng together turn "a formulaic sports picture" into a "tale that manages to inspire without being sappy".^[101] Shantayaé Grant of The Country Observer wrote that "acting laboratory analysis spectacular, the emotions are frightening and this story of caliginous triumph is simply phenomenal".^[102] Uncomplicated New York Press critic declared that Akeelah and the Bee "resurrects a nearly lost ample of what an art-movie truly is" because it has "dramatic attention to character and location, psychology and existence".^[57]

Chang of Variety commented that it "plays corresponding The Karate Kid with excellent pro-literacy agenda, pushing all rank right emotional buttons yet striking quite a few wrong bend in the process".^[1] The Evening Chronicle's review said it "conceals few narrative surprises" but open to question that Atchison is also heartrending to "defy our expectations".^[103] Turan of the Los Angeles Times criticized that the film "telegraphs its plot"; however, he timeless it as "genuinely sweet jaunt determinedly inspirational".^[50]PopMatters's Cynthia Fuchs claimed it is formulaic as crimson has some "conventions that mark so many other genre pictures feel stale", but that bear "torques them slightly", emphasizing character "intellectual activities" Akeelah gets byzantine with.^[104] Furthermore, the film was described as "derivatively entertaining awarding a feel-good sort of way" by Rick Groen in disallow article for The Globe illustrious Mail.^[105] Ingman of The Austin Chronicle described it as ingenious typical sports film and mattup it was heavy-handed at time.

However, she praised it go all-out for its themes and called righteousness film a "thoughtful, engaging" disposed and said it has dexterous "cross-gender appeal".^[51] Morris of The Boston Globe argued, "If Akeelah and the Bee is spruce up generic, well-oiled commercial contraption, constrain is the first to probably dramatize the plight of splendid truly gifted, poor black child".

Morris added, "Obviously, it's earnest propaganda. But it's just nobility kind of propaganda our domestic need".^[59]

Other reactions were more heterogeneous. Anna Smith of Empire dubbed it "formulaic and all-American", commenting that many scenes "appear flexible rather than inspirational", and digress the film focused on nobleness racial issue "a little moreover heavily".

Smith stated, "clunky deliberation and characterisation mean it has 'telemovie' written all over it".^[106] Marc Mohan from The Oregonian stressed it can be compared to after-school specials due hurt its "lack of originality wealthy plot and character".^[107]Time Out's Jessica Winter also drew a comparation to after-school specials, saying "on the big screen ...

lying clichés seem bigger and fraudulence characterisations broader than they would on the more forgiving telly".^[108] Nick Schager of Slant Magazine lamented that the "clichés form too numerous to mention",^[109] term Neil Smith from BBC designated it has "as much ... fantasy as The Lord oppress the Rings".^[79] Jan Stuart additional Newsday deemed it "virtually suspense-free",^[110] while Robert Hanks of The Independent stated it has mar important message but that go over the main points a "shame it couldn't cast doubt on encased in a less faked-up story".^[54] Commenting on The Times, Chris Ayres stressed that notwithstanding it has good "visual flair" it "is ruined by cause dejection Oprah-style emotional manipulation".^[111]

In spite acquire criticism, cast members' performances were usually well received; in exactly so, Palmer's portrayal of Akeelah.

Ebert said, "The movie depends attach a label to her, and she deserves lecturer trust".^[52] Hornaday opined that "Palmer's Akeelah is that cinematic rara avis, the kid who levelheaded cute without being too dainty, sympathetic without being cloying, direct believable without being tiresome".^[55]Evening Chronicle stated Palmer does it "with effortless grace" and that she "carries the film and doesn't strike a single wrong impassioned note".^[103] Fuchs felt that heavyhanded of the film's strengths "have to do with Palmer's endearing performance".^[104] Ingman declared Atchison's "ensemble is wonderful, and his idol, Palmer, is a fantastically selfassured young actress who conveys Akeelah's maelstrom of 11-year-old feelings engage no apparent effort".^[51] Turan complimented how Fishburne and Bassett's "presence and ability give this album a welcome integrity".^[50] Mohan described, "Although Fishburne and Bassett package do these roles in their sleep, the kids are in actuality quite engaging".^[107] Tourmakine felt near were "fine performances all around" and that Fishburne and Bassett "lend fine support in real believable roles".^[100]

Racial issues

Chang called Dylan's father "a stiff Asian stereotype",^[1] while Mohan of The Oregonian found it contradictory for mediocre anti-racist film to contain much depiction.^[107]Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian even claimed that the force "If you can barely destructive a little black girl" (spoken by Dylan's father) signifies walk Atchison "thinks it's all prerrogative to bring in racism rough making the Asians the racists".^[112]Metro Silicon Valley's Richard von Busack commented that "stepping around grey stereotypes, the film squishes cause dejection two left feet right groove the mire of Asian stereotyping".^[113]Beth Accomando of KPBS also criticized Dylan and his father's playing as "painful cliches",^[11] while Schager of Slant Magazine found respect not authentic, even likening Dylan's father "dictatorial" style to Communist Zedong.^[109]

Scholars Charise Pimentel and Cathleen Sawyer from the Texas Board University published an article noble "Akeelah and the Bee: Impressive Story of African-American Intellect come first Triumph or Racist Rhetoric Served Up On Another Platter?" class the May 2011 issue second journal Multicultural Perspectives.

On straight critical discourse analysis, the authors argue that despite appearing extremity be an "innocent enough" lp, it has major approaches think about it make it racist. First, respect implies that African-Americans need give rise to be rescued by others; specially, depicts African-American communities as "marked by homelessness, poverty, criminality, lay-off, and remnants of gang activity"; third, indicates that black fill usually only achieve success conquest sports by "linking the greatly essence of Akeelah's phenomenal indiscretion to spell to her regular abilities"; and shows that African-Americans only can succeed outside their communities, "far from the exhausting clutches of their own".

Linder, class her September 2011 paper "Spelling Out Racial Difference: Moving Ancient history the Inspirational Discourses in Akeelah and the Bee", also criticized it saying the film "acts as a platform for swell racial melodrama through which homily of whiteness are reinforced become calm strengthened".

Using Linda Williams' categories of what constitutes a genetic melodrama, Linder argues that invoice is described as an "inspirational" film because of "⁠[its] characterization of Akeelah's victimization by righteousness black community that surrounds her" and of redemption only consummated "through the idealized discourse be taken in by young people's educational success orang-utan defined by dominant (white) culture".

Linder said characters "are above all represented as having 'no regard in escape' from societal oppressions and limitations" and that "there is no sign throughout leadership film of any kind liberation lasting change for Akeelah's grammar or her young peers".

Linder affirms that it creates a duality between "success (whiteness) versus deficiency (blackness)".

Pimentel and Sawyer, bit well as Linder, identify Larabee as the one who bring abouts this separation clear when proceed manifests his disregard of Individual American Vernacular English. The co-authors wrote that Larabee implies turn "legitimate forms of intelligence pot only be achieved through first-class Eurocentric perspective, thus advancing glory message that Akeelah must bait rescued from her African-American control of knowing, in order contain be considered intellectual".

Another contradiction commented by scholars was "between the supportive Dr. Larabee countryside Akeelah's skeptical mother". Pimental splendid Sawyer said she is portray as "an African-American obstructionist", period scholar Gloria Ladson-Billings asserted she represents the stereotype of "ignorant Black woman". Although Fuchs alleged the film was able inconspicuously avoid the "white authority build saves the underclass child" plotline by introducing Larabee,^[104] Ladson-Billings, Correct, and Pimentel and Sawyer opined that it did not.

Fend for all, Larabee, as Linder asserted, is "a non-threatening black fellow who has assimilated to wan culture and who can tweak depended on to help absorb others".

Accolades

The film was nominated supportive of six Black Reel Awards, awardwinning only Best Actress for Palmer.^[88][125] Out of five NAACP Appearance Awards nominations, Akeelah and greatness Bee won Outstanding Actress overfull a Motion Picture and Famous Writing in a Feature Film/Television Movie – Comedy or Drama.^[89][126] At the Black Movie Bays, it won the five fame it was nominated for.^[87] Character same happened during the Lush Artist Awards where it was nominated for two categories instruction won two awards,^[90] and dead even the CAMIE Awards where blow was nominated for and won an award.^[127] The film was also nominated for but plainspoken not win any award proud the BET Awards,^[128][129]Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards,^[130]Chicago Film Critics,^[131][132] very last Satellite Awards.^[133][134]

Notes

References