A little girl stands on a stage with tears in her eyes, trying to figure out how to spell Lycanthrope, fully aware that success or failure at this crucial moment may have a significant influence on her future.

My friends, I’ve finally seen the must-see movie of the year (so far), namely Spellbound. The only reason why it’s taken me two weeks to write about it, is that I was afraid I lacked the words to do it justice.

Spellbound, a documentary about the US National Spelling Bee, follows eight children from very different backgrounds from the moment they win their regional spelling bee, through their preparation for the nationals, and finally at the national spelling bee in Washington.

The movie is by turns hilarious and heartbreaking. For sheer human drama and nail-biting suspense, it leaves all of the summer’s big-budget blockbusters in the dust.

You follow all kinds of kids, kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods, who have made it thus far despite relatively uninterested parents, and who really need to win. You follow kids with very pushy parents, who hire a different private tutor for each foreign language of origin, and you follow awkward geeky kids who could use the boost to their ego. You want them all to win. You know they won’t all do so.

Lump in your throat, edge of your seat, tears and applause of relief, this movie has it all. Run to see Spellbound at the Cinéma du Parc. Go!