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Spellbound (2002/I)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 October 2003 (UK) moreTagline:
EVERYONE WANTS THE LAST WORD morePlot:
Spellbound follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the 1999 National Spelling Bee. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 14 wins & 7 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Big Beach Films gamble on Jeffrey Blitz's new docu (From ioncinema. 20 December 2007)
Interview: Jeffrey Blitz
(From ioncinema. 7 August 2007)
User Comments:
Spell it any way you like... more (100 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Angela Arenivar | ... | Herself - Spelling Bee Participant | |
| Ubaldo Arenivar | ... | Himself - Angela's Father (as Ubaldo) | |
| Jorge Arenivar | ... | Himself - Angela's Brother (as Jorge) | |
| Mr. Scott McGarraugh | ... | Himself - Ranch Owner (as Mr. McGarraugh) | |
| Mrs. Lindy McGarraugh | ... | Herself - Ranch Owner (as Mrs. McGarraugh) | |
| Concepción Arenivar | ... | Herself - Angela's Mother (as Concepción) | |
| Mrs. Slaughter | ... | Herself - Angela's Teacher | |
| Neelima Marupudi | ... | Herself - Potter County Champion (as Neelima) | |
| Nupur Lala | ... | Herself - Spelling Bee Participant | |
| Ms. Whitehurst | ... | Herself - Nupur's Teacher | |
| Parag Lala | ... | Himself - Nupur's Father (as Parag) | |
| Meena Lala | ... | Herself - Nupur's Mother (as Meena) | |
| Kuna Lala | ... | Himself - Nupur's Brother (as Kuna) | |
| Ted Brigham | ... | Himself - Spelling Bee Participant | |
| Ms. Blair | ... | Herself - Tes's Teacher |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
97 min | Canada:95 min (Toronto International Film Festival)Country:
USAColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 moreSound Mix:
StereoCertification:
Iceland:L | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:K-3 | Australia:G | Singapore:G | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:GFilming Locations:
Washington, District of Columbia, USAFun Stuff
Quotes:
Former Spelling Bee winner: I don't think it really helped me, in my love live; my nascent love life. I think that having won something like that could be regarded as being a significant liability. moreFAQ
Recognising the spellersChapter Headings, a semi-official version
more
more (100 total)
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...this film can be found listed under the definition of "winner." Absolutely wonderful work from first-time director/cinematographer Jeffrey Blitz, "Spellbound" is an engrossing documentary that introduces and follows eight regional Spelling Bee winners to the 1999 national championship in Washington, D.C. Of course, it's about far more than the rote spelling of arcane words; it's about setting goals and pursuing them, following your dreams and your heart's desires, and above all, the value of love and cooperation in achieving what you set out to do. Beautifully structured and paced, the story of these eight kids, all of them heartbreakingly appealing and buoyantly inspiring, will keep you on the edge of your seat as if you were involved in the lexicographical competition yourself. Perhaps I am biased, having had a child involved in a local spelling bee (she lost, and of course I just loved her all the more), but I rank this little sleeper right up there with "Hoop Dreams" and "Crumb" as one of my all-time favorite documentaries. If you don't fall in love with these kids (and their families) and share their agonies and ecstasies all the way through the triumph of the final winner, then I would have to say you have no heart and no soul. The DVD includes three other contestants whose arcs had to be cut from the film for time, but who are equally engaging, as well as a "where are they now?" addendum and a DVD-ROM Hangman's spelling game.
Simply put, not to be missed by anyone interested in the positive aspects of humanity.