The 100-Word Critic: Akeelah and the Bee

Written by: Stacy Centa, the 100-Word Critic

(Stacy Centa is a guest columnist for CC2K. Each week, she will review a movie in EXACTLY 100 words, not including any of these. This week, Centa reviews Akeelah and the Bee, while simultaneously conceding the spuriousness of condensing a four-word movie title into a one-word acronym.)

“Girl, if I could spell, I know I could be a flight attendant.”  This quote, like the entirety of AATB, is disarming. You’ll quickly forget that it was brought to you by Starbucks Entertainment.  The premise, an inner city youth with an impressively rhythmic knack for spelling, dances dangerously close to being schmaltzy without crossing the line.  At a time where stories of spelling bees are as trendy as the producers’ Pumpkin Spice Lattés, Akeelah enters the zeitgeist at precisely the right time. 

Granted, I’ve always loved after-school specials, but if you’re looking for some PG-rated fun, Akeelah won’t disappoint.

(Stacy Centa's website: 100wordsaday.com , offers daily samplings of her unique marriage of creativity and discipline. Oh, and these words don't count toward the 100 either.)

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