Genre: Drama
Runtime: 112 minutes
Studio: Lions Gate
Director: Doug Atchison
Screenwriter: Doug Atchison
Starring: Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Marlow, Sara Niemietz, Eddie Steeples
Release Date: April 28, 2006
An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), a precocious eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne); her principal Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong) and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah’s aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.
(synopsis courtesy of Lionsgate)
Akeelah and the Bee was rated PG for language, and the movie portrays some of the struggles that underprivileged kids go through, giving a glimpse of what life is like in inner city neighborhoods. A big focus of the movie is on Akeelah's fear that, because of where she comes from, success is not for her; however, the truth is that beauty and greatness can be found anywhere.
