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Akeelah and the Bee
2006 113 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.5
Drama
Director: Doug Atchison
Trailers
Description
11-year-old Akeelah Anderson has a way with words. After winning her schoolwide spelling bee, she decides to enter the competition, despite her classmates' derision and the antipathy of her mother Tanya. Thanks to the efforts of her teacher Dr. Larabee, she reaches the finals. As she gets to know her fellow competitors, Akeelah realizes that coming first isn't everything in life.
Budget:
$8M
US Gross:
$18.85M
Worldwide:
$18.95M
Starring
Angela Bassett
Actor
Laurence Fishburne
Actor
Keke Palmer
Actor
Awards
11 wins & 15 nominations total
Key opinion
Akeelah and the Bee is widely celebrated as an uplifting and emotionally resonant family drama that effectively champions themes of perseverance and community. While most viewers find the performances and moral message deeply moving, some critics argue the execution leans toward excessive sentimentality and thin social commentary.
| Acting | The lead performance by Keke Palmer captures the protagonist's growth and determination with authentic conviction. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully motivates audiences by framing the spelling bee as a sophisticated test of character, intellect, and collective effort. | |
| Ending | The film’s resolution follows a conventional path that leaves family audiences satisfied while striking others as overly formulaic and sentimental. | |
| Culture | While some find the film's exploration of racial dynamics and social obstacles poignant, others view the treatment of these themes as unconvincing or superficial. |