WHOLESOME family drama, with Keke Palmer as a talented 11-year-old encouraged to enter the Spelling Bee championships. Mother Angela Bassett worries about her academic future.

Coach Laurence Fishburne sees her as a substitute for his dead daughter. There are many emotional mountains to climb before a nail-biting final.

The chance to cheer the underdog lends the film charm, although a soft-centred storyline spells sugary in any language.