It’s easy to see why Jason Bateman would be drawn to cutting loose in this film about an adult “jerk” (maybe he’s not?) who finds a loophole into competing in a children’s national spelling bee. Bateman has done an excellent job stealing scenes in thankless straight man roles to “wackier” ensembles (Identity Thief, This is Where I Leave You), and I don’t blame him for wanting to be the wild card for once. He pulls it off, but the film itself is uneven, especially the sentimental ending. Grade: B
Blue in A Red State
