Review of Akeelah and the Bee (2006) by Marco P — 03 Jan 2011

Remember that quote from Marianne Williamson? "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure..." Well Akeelah & the Bee is the cinematic manifestation of that quote. In fact, the quote plays on and on during the film, which sets both tone and theme for the film.

Like Searching for Bobby FIscher, this is a story of unconscious genius which, with the right prodding, bears fruit. Both Fischer's Josh Waitzkin and Akeelah unknowingly possess gifts and a ragtag band of friends and family that help them discover these gifts along the way.

I think the casting of Laurence Fishburne as Akeelah's spelling guru is a nod to his role in Searching for Bobby Fischer, where he played a street player who empowers Waitzkin. Bassett is reliable as Akeelah's mom, and newcomer Keke Palmer shines as the titular character.

I am beginning to believe that while genius is fostered by practice (as in math, music, chess, or code writing), genius is truly cultured by community; and it is through community where, as Williamson so aptly states, "we let our own light shine... we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.".