Spellbound
This movie is a beautiful experience. I’ve seen it three times now, each with different people, and enjoyed it more each time. On the one hand, for me it brings up all the anxiety of being in junior high school, being smart and using big words – not the best strategy for social acceptance.
But on the other hand, it celebrates how smart kids can find their own ways of fitting in, their own social structures where they are accepted and even celebrated.
Each of the eight protagonists profiled in the movie gives us a different little slice of junior high geekdom, with some social commentary snuck in around the edges. My favorites were the hyperactive Harry (who exemplified the winning word, “logorrhea”) and the soulful Angela, who made her own crossword puzzles and turned a spelling contest into an American triumph for her Mexican immigrant parents.
As a veteran of a few spelling bees myself back in the day (big shocker, huh?), I can say the movie perfectly captures the mixture of excitement and dread caused by stepping up to the microphone to hear your next word.
Simply put, this movie made me feel good.
Highly recommended.
hi adam this movie sounds interesting havent heard of it