Not spelled e-x-p-o-s-e'
When this first came out and received rave reviews, I wanted to see it...especially after watching (for the first time) a large portion of the Scripps-Howard spelling bee on ESPN. Seeing that (heavily edited) contest on TV affected my reaction to this film, even though they were separate contests.I still think the film is fine, and would recommend it. Heck anything championing (or "chapmioning") an aspect of education, and looking at kids as positive and intelligent is a step in the right direction in my mind. There are playful pokes at the contestants and their paths to the national bee, but comparisons here to "Best in Show" I think are a bit misguided, if not malevolent.
The first half of the film is basically a set of human interest stories as we meet the contestants that will be followed through the second half of the film and the national competition. In dealing with the children and their families, the directors mostly use kid gloves. This is not a scathing Frontline documentary, indeed part of me wonders how how much if any funding from Scripps the filmmakers got and/or continue to receive. Maybe I'm just too suspicious, or too accustomed to documentaries that blow either a whistle or my mind.
The competition itself is tense, but to me what I saw on ESPN last year was far more nerve-wracking. I can only imagine what the rounds are like in person... In the film, the kids' intelligence breeds a sort of pragmatism. There's an element of luck built into the event, as there is in sports and in life.
Still the techniques the kids utilize and the preparation they undergo is often fascinating. The United Spellers of Benetton do showcase an American strength of multiculturalism. Indeed the words themselves underscore the importance of foreign origins. On the flip side, Emily Stagg's father (an import here himself) politely questions America's overriding concern with competition. We do see examples of how competition can be a beautiful thing, in particular I liked the "spelling gang" that wanted to unseat Nupur Lala in her local competition. Something about the way that was presented was utterly charming.
The bigger concern for me in the U.S. is commercialism. That's where Faustian deals get made...and competition goes from honest head-to-head battles to more conniving cut-throat contests in which every one loses.
This film seems to keep its distance, and you do get a feeling that all of the entrants are winners (and I hope on to bigger and better things soon!). I admit to being a little bit worried about post-documentary sales of "The Paideia." Thankfully it appears to be priced to move at a near non-profit level for now...
And various other outlets I'm sure...probably even your local library...the ultimate bastion of civilization..
Meanwhile, I'm preparing for ESPN's exclusive (*gulp*) presentation of this year's bee on June 1-3.
I give this documentary a
7/10
score 7/10
ThurstonHunger 16 May 2004
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0895850/35631
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