Spellbound Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)October 1st, 2003
SPELLBOUND (2002) / ****
Directed by Jeffrey Blitz. Starring Harry Altman, Angela Arenivar, Ted Brigham. Running time: 95 minutes. This film is not yet rated by the MFCB. Reviewed on September 30th, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: This is the story of eight youths competing in the 1999 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. It follows them from their victories at local competitions, and sees them join 241 other kids from across the United States in Washington for the big showdown. We experience the mounting pressure as they advance through the rounds, the reactions of their friends and families, and the heartbreak -- or relief -- when their day finally comes to an end.
Review: I love the English language (well, any language, really). It will probably come as little surprise to regulars readers of these reviews (if any such person exists!) that I take great delight in discovering new words, and new uses for familiar words; it disappoints me that so many people seem content subsisting with a sorely limited vocabulary. So it's probably only natural that I've long been an avid follower of the National Spelling Bee, and I appreciate the glimpse "Spellbound" offers into the matters we don't get to see on television: the punishing hours of training and preparation, the colossal pressure many of the kids endure, the aftermath of the fatal misspell. But what's most engrossing about "Spellbound" is the way it so effortlessly acquaints us with its eight chosen subjects. Some of them have fascinating motives for entering the Bee -- like Angela, whose immigrant parents still speak little English. Several are just great characters; it's hard not to love Harry, with his facial ticks and tendency to say whatever comes to mind. Others bring to life the huge contrasts in our society: Emily ponders whether her au pair can come to the Bee, while Ashley struggles through life in a low-income area of Washington. Above all else, "Spellbound" reminds us that these kids aren't just walking dictionaries: they're walking stories, too.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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