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Javier (JR Villareal) and Akeelah hit it off at the bee.

In addition, the film has some positive things to say about the ways in which communities can band together and support people, though it does take a few implausibly sudden character reversals to get there. Some viewers might also appreciate that the film has few, if any, outright bad guys; all of the children—even those who seem like cheaters at first—turn out to be surprisingly honest and resolute about playing fair, especially at times when, from a storytelling point of view, it is very convenient for them to be so scrupulous. For these and other reasons, writer-director Doug Atchison's movie isn't all that believable, yet it also feels like the sort of thing you'd want to show to your average ten-year-old, who just might conclude that if everybody's doing it, then maybe being good isn't so bad.

1. Have you ever been afraid to show your talents, like Akeelah? How have you been able to show them? Did someone help you? Are you still waiting for someone to help you? Do you need to wait? How can you help other people to develop their own talents?
   
   
2. Larabee has Akeelah read a statement written by secular "spirituality" guru Marianne Williamson: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. . . . We are born to make manifest the glory of God within us." Do you agree? Is the glory of God manifested in any of these characters? Which ones?
   
   
3. Did you find this story believable? Did you find the characters believable? Which did you find more believable, the characters or the story? Why? If you did not find either of these things believable, did it affect whether you found the story uplifting or not?
   
   

Akeelah and the Bee is rated PG for some language—basically a four-letter word or two that seem to have been put into the script simply to avoid a G rating. A precocious boy kisses a girl and then asks if she will sue him for sexual harassment. And the theme of the film is expressed, a couple times, through an Oprah-esque self-empowerment quote from Marianne Williamson, an author who preaches spirituality without religion.

Photos © Copyright Lions Gate Films

© Peter T. Chattaway 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Christian Hamaker (Crosswalk) says: "Overcoming obstacles. Feeling like an outsider looking in. Coping with the prejudices of others. These are all common cinematic themes, but when well executed, they can result in stirring entertainment. Such is the case with Akeelah and the Bee, a rousing story of how one young girl discovers a special talent and seeks to fulfill her intellectual potential."

Who knew that spelling was a spectator sport? With a kindly salute to the non-athletic intellectuals out there, Hollywood has been producing a surprising amount of films centered around competitive spelling—first the irresistible documentary Spellbound, then last year's dour Bee Season, and now Akeelah and the Bee, an inspiring and family-friendly flick that seems to spell fun for moviegoers of all ages.

Harry Forbes (Catholic News Service) has similar sentiments: "Writer-director Doug Atchison handles Akeelah's journey of self-discovery and growing empowerment deftly and builds suspense on the way to a satisfying if unabashedly formulaic conclusion."

Christopher Lyon (Plugged In) says it's a gem: "[Director Doug] Atchison has crafted a moving, even inspirational winner of a film. It's not that Akeelah and the Bee treads unique territory. The plot mostly follows the Rocky template, as our hero overcomes impossible odds for her shot at unlikely glory. In fact, things get downright corny at several key moments. But I didn't care at all. The story had me, and it kept working right up to the end."

Mainstream critics generally give Bee passing marks.

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