Rather than the traditional single character Influence Character, the Influence Character functions are handled by many characters.ĭr. What is interesting, however, is the manner in which the Impact Character throughline is explored. The storyform for Akeelah and the Bee is straightforward. And, in a split decision, she ties for first place (Story Outcome: Success). Her school and community get great exposure. Driven by her feelings (MC Problem: Feelings), she is inclined to take the path of least resistance (MC Symptom of Temptation), choosing to skip classes to lessen her reputation as a “brainiac.” Only when Akeelah does what she is “supposed” to do does she feel fulfilled (MC Response: Conscience).Īs one might expect, Akeelah makes it to the finals. Eleven-year-old Akeelah is a stand out and shows great potential.Īkeelah (Main Character) is an African American eleven-year-old girl from South Central Los Angeles with a natural gift for spelling (Main Character Domain: Situation). Larabee, a distinguished teacher and language scholar, to evaluate the students’ potential. The principal enlists the help of his college pal, Dr. The principal decides to have a school spelling bee hoping that one of his students will make it to the nationals and bring exposure (and money) to the school (Overall Story Throughline: Activity Story Goal: Obtaining). The Overall Story throughline is about a middle school seriously hurting for money just to provide the necessary basics. The sound story structure at the heart of Akeelah and the Bee gives this “ghetto kid does good” an honest emotional resonance and earns its feel-good ending. While treading familiar territory, it dodges most major genre clichés through the creative use of the story’s peripheral characters. Akeelah and the Bee is an uplifting, family-oriented film that rises above its “Afternoon Special” subject matter.

Akeelah and the bee