Spellbound (2002)

fun, engaging, and inspiring

I love good documentaries, so I thought this might be a fun one to see, and it was even better than I expected. At times the kids it followed were the source of a lot of humor, at other times I found myself becoming really drawn into the drama of this great competition, and I was never bored throughout the whole movie. I especially liked how it followed several kids from different backgrounds. You really get a feel for the great diversity because of that approach. May 4, 2008

Kids with awesome work ethic

I really enjoyed this movie primarily due to seeing how hard the kids worked to achieve their goals. Yes, the parents were highly involved, one in particular a bit too much, but the kids were highly self motivated and it showed in their work ethic and dedication.

There was a comment earlier about how a poor student could never win the Bee. And I will admit, it was eye opening to see what some of the more affluent parents put into training their kids (language tutors, spelling tutors). I still thought the fact that Ashley White and Angela from TX made this as far as they did showed poor kids could have a chance of winning. I thought they did great. I was really, really upset learning what happened to Ashley White as she moved to high school. Another teen parent, it made me more incensed at her mother. I really disliked her throughout the movie. She had no clue the opportunity this Bee was for her daughter, a great networking opportunity to help match her daughter up with mentor to get her out of the typical SE DC mentality. All she seemed to care about was the $10,000. Just a sorry excuse for a mother.

As you can see the movie really draws you into the kids lives. Definitely a great movie to own!! January 8, 2008

Spell bound

It is amazing! One of the best documentaries I ve seen in a long time. It is funny and entertaining. Geeky but definitely has a sense of humour! September 26, 2007

Spellbound

The crowd-pleasing quality of "Spellbound" comes from the likeability of the eight kids featured, and the laudable values of self-discipline and self-improvement reflected in the parents' encouragement and coaching of their gifted progeny. Part of the fun, too, is trying to guess which of these word wizards--a boy from rural Missouri, an African-American girl from Washington D.C., a precocious child of privilege from suburban Connecticut--will triumph, but visibly agonized, socially awkward Harry Altman, from New Jersey, is the film's de facto icon. "Spellbound" will jangle your nerves and charm your socks off. July 25, 2007

Perfect title for this wonderful documentary

"Spellbound" is exactly how this film leaves you. I've rarely been so focused on a group of people we get to know early on as they prepare for the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in 1999. Coming from all walks of life and from different economic classes, they have at least one thing in common...intensity.

The first half of "Spellbound" is dedicated to being introduced to the eight kids on which the film is based...their families, friends and teachers all provide a loving (and often nail biting) bond with these present and future competitors. But it is the second half where everything comes together. There's more drama here than in most action movies and it is a winner of a film on many different levels.

I highly recommend "Spellbound". It's a timeless wonder... warm, sometimes funny, occasionally heartbreaking but always satisfying. These kids and their families teach us a good deal about love, learning, and competition. You'll be spellbound. June 9, 2007

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