Portrait of a nation
This film is fascinating not only for the human interest of all of the participants in themselves but for the light it sheds on America.I suppose the first thing I must comment on is the notion of the bee itself. I come from the UK and I don't think it could ever catch on here. Our culture is not a competitive one and when I first heard about this film I gaped at the notion of making a mundane thing like spelling a competitive event. In a way however I admire it, children have something more to strive for than just a good grade in a test. On the other hand it is a little ridiculous.
Another thing I liked about it was the fact it is purely American. We know America from the movies, we have American culture thrust down our throats at halloween and Christmas. But there is a distinct culture of its own and this film reminds us of that.
However it is in showing us the world of America this film truly excels. the children come from all backgrounds - from recent immigrants to patrician families to from cuddly Moms to rednecks to black single parents. The little girl Nurpa was congratulated by her community on a sign when she won a regional bee which I thought showed the inclusiveness of the American ideal. And above all the on the democracy of it. Many of the children come from disadvantaged backgrounds and yet they get the chance to compete. This is wonderful. But still I found it interesting most of these children were from middle class backgrounds.
score 8/10
thecatsmotheruk 14 November 2004
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0961896/35631
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