A small, unshowy documentary about a ♌US national spelling contest might not sound l🍸ike the makings of a champ. But put aside any prejudices and Spellbound will make you grateful you signed on the dotted line.

Tracking the efforts of eight talented youngsters from a variety of backgrounds, the film sidesteps the usual Q&A awkwardness by letting the conversation flow naturally and the kids/parents/friends speak for themselves. It's also a credit to director Jeff Blitz that his doc's never dull - - a keen sense🐼 of𓃲 storytelling and dramatic tension holds your attention, even if, from time to time, the actual spelling contests themselves become visually repetitive.

Not that it matters - - by this time, you're truly invested in the fate of the kids. Likewise, any complaints that some of the interviewees are stereotypes are deflec♌ted by the fact that there's no sign of mean-spiritedness here.

This sort of quality docu-making always exists on the margins, unfairly relegated to limited rel﷽ease. Seek it out and you'll be soundly rewarded. Spelt R-E-W...