Featuring: Angela Arenivar, Nupur Lala, Ted Brigham, Emily Stagg, Ashley White, Neil Kadakia, April DeGideo, Harry Altman
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Producers: Jeffrey Blitz, Sean Welch
Cinematography: Jeffrey Blitz
Music: Daneil Hulsizer
U.S. Distributor: ThinkFilm Inc.
Despite rave reviews, film festival awards, and an Oscar nomination, Spellbound comes across as little more than a marginally compelling documentary – the kind of movie that would be at home on PBS. To be sure, there's some interesting (and, at times, humorous) material contained in Jeffrey Blitz's movie, but choppy editing and time restrictions limit the production's effectiveness. The completed work is by no means bad or unwatchable, but it's nothing special, either.
Spellbound follows eight American junior high school students in their quest to win the National Spelling Bee – an annual event that transpires during the spring in Washington D.C. and features the winners of 249 regional contests in a winner-takes-the-title (and $10,000) spell-off. Blitz's subjects represent a cross-section of classes, races, and genders. Some of them are eliminated in the early rounds, but, through either an incredible stroke of luck or some impressive planning (and a lot of clever editing), Blitz is able to claim the winner among those whose stories he captures.
Angela Arenivar is arguably Spellbound's most intriguing subject. The Texas-bred daughter of illegal immigrants who don't speak English, Angela has worked and studied not only to master the English language, but to become an accomplished speller. Tampa's Nupur Lala is making a return trip to the National Bee after being eliminated in the third round in 1998. Missouri's Ted Brigham is described as a fierce competitor whose high intelligence and composure make him a daunting opponent. Emily Stagg divides her time in Connecticut between choral practice, horseback riding, and practicing spelling with her mother. This is her third time at the Nationals, and she is a bundle of nerves. D.C.'s Ashley White lives with a single mother and dreams of advancing to the final rounds. Practicing spelling has given her life purpose and kept her from falling prey to the many dangers of the projects. Neil Kadakia lives in San Clemente with his immigrant parents. He is driven to succeed as much by his own inner fire as by his desire to please his goal-oriented mother and father. He spends most of his days studying, using advanced and specific techniques. Another student who spends many of her waking hours practicing is Pennsylvania's April DeGideo. Despite her advantages, however, she is a pessimist and convinced that she has no chance of winning. Finally, there's New Jersey's Harry Altman, who has an outgoing personality and hardly ever studies. He is Spellbound's least likely contestant – at times endearing and at times irritating.
Spellbound does some things well. It surveys the reasons why children participate in spelling contests. Mostly, it's a way to prove something to themselves. In one or two cases, it's at least in part because of parental pressure and fear of disapproval. And, in one instance, it's just a diversion. It's also interesting to note the different approaches the contestants have to preparing. Some don't do much; others devote 8-10 hours per day to practice. The film also develops a mild sense of tension during the final 20 minutes as it presents a truncated version of the final rounds, although the finale is hampered by muddled editing.
Blitz's approach is to offer interviews with the children and their parents along with footage of their victories at the Regionals and "candid" shots of them at home. Some of the subjects are inherently more charismatic than others, and, as a result, their stories are more compelling. Emily, for example, is a bundle of energy, while Ted is dull and inexpressive. And, after about 60 seconds on camera, Harry wears out his welcome.
Blitz has fashioned the kind of movie that's perfectly acceptable for television viewing, but hardly the sort of thing I can endorse for a theatrical journey. It's a commendable attempt to bring an overlooked and fascinating subject to the screen, but the approach is surface oriented and perfunctory, and I didn't really find myself moved, edified, or enlightened by the experience. Aside from spelling bee participants or lovers of this kind of competition, Spellbound's only real audience would appear to be the one it finds when it reaches the public airwaves.
© 2003 James Berardinelli