It is intriguing to see drama and suspense infused into a feature length film whose subject could be considered passive. "Spellbound" is a look at the experiences of eight champion spellers from different parts of the US, as they prepare for and compete in the National Spelling Bee, held in Washington, D.C. each year. An Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature in 2002 (Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" won), the film is directed by Jeff Blitz with a deft and often humorous hand. We see the sacrifices made by these brave, sometimes terrified, contestants and their parents. Grueling schedules of practice and tutoring rival the time spent by sports athletes.

Blitz understands that the competition in the Bee is not "kid vs. kid," but "kid vs. word." You see that in the youngsters' eyes as they pull for another kid struggling with a word, or their enthusiasm when someone else sweats out the right spelling.

Blitz selected the eight contestants to be highlighted in the film from the 249 set for the Nationals. He checked lists of returning spellers from the previous year's competition, and got input from spelling coaches and officials from the National Bee on who some promising first time spellers might be.

Angela, from Texas, whose parents came here from Mexico and they speak very little English, said yes. April's father owns a bar and has high hopes for his daughter, and her mother collects "bee" memorabilia. Ashley lives with her single mother in a housing project in D.C. and trains with a conscientious teacher. Emily rides horses in New Haven and this is her third year at the Nationals. Nupur has been here before also, and her parents encourage her to participate in other activities as well. Harry has an animated approach to tackling the words. Neil, an East Indian boy, utilizes coaches and computer programs. And Ted comes from a rural community where basketball rules.

"Spellbound" has won several awards around the country, as Jeff Blitz and his partner, producer Sean Welch, have put together a balanced portrait of this bit of Americana, the spelling bee.