Spellbound: Movie & DVD Review

(Originally published 2002)

Jeff Blitz’s Academy Award-nominated documentary, "Spellbound," follows the lives of eight students from different corners of the country, all of whom won their regional spelling bees and now are about to launch into the final event that binds them: The Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

If the idea of watching a movie about teens competing in the mother of all spelling bees sounds dull, then know that the execution of that idea is far from dull.

It is, in fact, often exhilarating and suspenseful, an insightful, powerful glimpse into the kind of preparation, drive and backbone it takes not just to master the roots of the English language, which is tough enough, but also to appear in front of a live audience on national television while a panel of judges dish out the sort of words that might send even the most gifted wordsmiths into exile.

Winning a spot at the competition is a major achievement, to be sure, but some might question at what cost. Through the collection of mini-biographies that opens the film, Blitz introduces us to the kids willing to pay the price.

They come from a wide cross-section of socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds. All are standouts, but some resonate more than others.

There’s Angela, the daughter of Mexican immigrants whose parents barely speak a word of English yet who look upon Angela in awe at what she’s able to do with a language they themselves don’t fully understand. There’s Ashley, a fresh face from one of D.C.’s toughest neighborhoods whose mother wonders aloud whether Ashley’s relatives will be able to watch her compete from their televisions in prison.

There’s Neil, whose wealthy father has coached his son relentlessly, hired 1,000 people in their native India to pray around the clock for his success, and who has agreed to feed 5,000 more in Bangladesh should Neil actually win. And then there’s the hyperactive Harry, the joker of the bunch, whose rubbery face becomes a carnival of worry and despair as the movie unfolds and the pressure builds.

Whether the competition is worth the pressure it inflicts and the sacrifice it presents is up for debate; winning means something different for everyone involved. Still, backed by the unflagging support of their families, their friends and especially their communities, these remarkable eight kids--along with the 241 other hopefuls who join them in D.C.--give it their best shot in what amounts to a tense showdown of words.

For some people, realizing their first major, public accomplishment comes from throwing a touchdown, getting on base, landing a difficult jump or finishing a marathon. But for these kids, correctly spelling words like “Darjeeling,” “banns” and “palimpsest” prove the early zenith of their young lives.

Like any athlete--and these kids are orthographical athletes--they’ve paid their dues through hard work, dedication and training. It’s impossible not to root for all of them. What’s special about “Spellbound”--and what’s ultimately so gratifying about the movie--is that these kids, bonded by their uniqueness, also find it impossible not to stand up and cheer for each other.

Grade: A