Recommended age 5-12
112 minutes
LIONSGATE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Click to purchase directly from the producer
Click to purchase directly from the producer
Great family film with great values, story, great acting and a fantastic script. Keke Palmer's performance is fabulous as is Mr. Fishburne's. Though the storyline is somewhat predictable and some of the characters a bit shady, the "underdog comes through" message is a heart-warmer. Winner of KIDS FIRST! Best Feature and Best of Fest for 2006. Contains some mild profanity, intense family scenes, local gangs, an unwed mother and a joke about sexual harassment.
The inspirational story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), an eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne); her principal Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong) and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and, in turn, unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.
You too can become a film critic!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!