If you’re browsing for feel-good stories of American diversity nowadays, there is nothing more inoffensively comforting than Netflix’s new documentary “Spelling the Dream.” Celebrating the unbroken winning streak of Indian-Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Sam Rega’s film follows four Indian-American regional contestants in their quest for a spot on the stage of the 2017 national finale.
These individual portraits of young super-spellers are intercut with commentary from the comedian Hari Kondabolu, as well as Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria, both of CNN, explaining how this dominance embodies what Zakaria describes as “assimilation at work.” The film’s celebratory tone seems intended to counteract social media backlash, shown onscreen in a sequence, about the “takeover” of an institution by those from a community that amounts to roughly 1 percent of the country’s population.
As the interviewees suggest, however, this recurring achievement is not the product of a nefarious takeover or some genetic disposition, but of Indian-American family values, work ethic and multilingual homes that prize language. “They are taking part in the most American tradition, doing well at it, and playing by the rules,” Zakaria says.
What’s missing from the uplifting proceedings, however, is an ounce of critical examination of South Asian parental pressure, competitive child sporting or the long-term value of rote memorization. “Spelling the Dream” is a sort of streaming-era reboot of the 2003 Oscar-nominated documentary “Spellbound.” But this new movie lacks the deep characterization, narrative complexity and critical distance of Jeffrey Blitz’s feature.
“Spelling the Dream” is a film about winning, delivered with glossy visuals and a gratingly optimistic score that draws to a close with its champion showered in confetti — an obvious symbol for this overarching (and under-questioned) celebration of American multiculturalism.
Spelling the Dream
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 22 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
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‘Spelling the Dream’ Review: Words of Inspiration - The New York Times
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