Spellbound (2003)

Synopsis: Eight American kids, all coming from different backgrounds, Mexican, African-American, Indian, Jewish, WASP and working class, are united by one thing, the desire to be the best speller in the United States of America.

The first half of Jeff Blitz's documentary introduces the spellers at their respective state finals as well as giving us an inside look at their study techniques and private life. There is Angela, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who came to America to give their kids a better education; April, a bartender’s daughter whose study techniques include reading a dictionary for up to eight hours a day; Ashley, an African-American girl from Washington who has dreamed of winning the Bee; Emily, who finds time between her horse-riding and acapella group to win the state finals; Harry, the most obnoxious little turd you will ever meet (I mean it, after three minutes of this kid's 'comedy' I became a staunch anti-Semite, and I’m Jewish!); Neil, an East Indian boy whose parents give new meaning to the word rigid; Nupur, an Indian girl who was eliminated in the third round last time and is back to do better; and finally, Ted, the rural boy from Missouri who is an outsider at school but is hoping to find his niche amongst his fellow spellers. So by the time we get to act two, the contest, we know each speller, have developed an attachment to them and chosen someone to root for (with the exception of Harry).

By choosing kids from such different backgrounds (o.k., both Nupur and Neil are both of Indian descent but let’s not split hairs) the film not only showcases the diversity of American society but gives a very clear insight into the differences in work ethic between people from different religious, racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Some fit stereotypes, some don’t. But all give a very unique view of American life and all of them seem to be outcasts and viewed differently by their peers due to their studiousness.

Blitz has made a great documentary with a very effective narrative structure. By the end of the first half one cannot help but care about these kids, and during the footage of the actual competition you find yourself actually worried when a word comes up that is difficult, and you are genuinely sad as they are, one by one, eliminated. The first half did lag slightly as we saw one state championship after another and the actual Bee seemed like it was a long time coming. But once we got to the Nationals the pace picked up as did the laughs, gasps and even tears (not me of course, I’m far too manly, I’m referring to my girlfriend who saw it with me). As this is a documentary it will probably be largely undervalued as a night out, which is a pity, as it is very entertaining. It will also make you realize you aren’t as good a speller as you think you are …and that you really dislike that damn Harry kid.

 

 

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