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FILM: Spellbound

You know, there’s just something about ESPN’s telecast of the National Spelling Bee finals that makes my skin crawl. Perhaps it’s all that stalling the contestants use when they obviously have no idea how to spell “opsimath”; “Can I have the language of origin? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you spell the world for me?” etc., etc. Look, kid, either you know it, or you don’t. And for that matter, look, Spelling Bee people, either give the kids all that information about the world up front, or don’t. But don’t drag out the spelling of one word so it goes on longer than the final "time-out" frenzy during the last 45 seconds of low-scoring 74-73 NBA game. That said, Spellbound is pretty damn cool. Dispensing with the faux Bee theatrics I loathe, this documentary focuses in on the kids (and families) who choose to spell for fun. The advent of spell-check has made spelling a skill that many kids today seem to regard as not at all necessary. Still, this film delights in and celebrates the academic and lexicographic achievement of eight teens who have veered from the traditional teen path of boy band and Hilary Duff worship. More interesting than the contestants, though, are the families; a fascinating cross-section of America is represented here, from immigrant success stories to isolationist Southern stereotypes. You’ll have to look hard to find this film, but it’s worth it, I promise. Link |

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