The Secret Life of Bees Review

Overall 4.70 of 5 view all 37 reviews

SugarCookie
Huntington Station, NY

Tragic Girl Meets Life in the 1960's and Grows Up

film lover, an infrequent movie goer

Pros

excellent plot line, well-developed characters, good pacing, acting neither overdone nor not done

Cons

raw language, might not be suitable for young children

NOV

2008

The Secret Life of Bees —

The Secret Life of Bees is a rite of passage movie, for a teenage girl, as well as for a young woman. Both of these individuals need to leave the place where life is not happening, in order to go to a better place. This movie is set during the middle of the civil rights movement, although, not in the direct center of it.

The story behind The Secret Life of Bees is a tragic, as well as an exciting one. There is much to follow in the plot of the movie, as well as ideas that are left to the imagination of the viewer. The movie is based on the book by the author, Sue Monk Kidd, which seems to be a good one, although, I have yet to do more than casually thumb through it.

Dakota Fanning gives a believable performance, and is somehow magical in her leading role of the young girl, "Lily". Jennifer Hudson's realism and method acting is an excellent counterpoint for "July Boatwright" or "Rosalie". The two characters work well together, within the context of The Secret Life of Bees.

The actresses who played the characters of "April Boatwright", "May Boatwright", and "August Boatwright" also gave noteworthy and credible performances, as did the actor who played the part of "Zachary". "Lily's" father gave a suitably destitute and sinister performance as the movie's anti-hero.

This might be a chick flick, however, Secret Life of Bees is not so sappy that a guy cannot sit through the movie. There is enough action and adult humor that people who might be easily programmed to repeat the lines within the movie should avoid seeing this, as should people who are bringing along young children. I lost myself for a few hours watching this movie, it was well worth the ticket price for us.

The Secret Life of Bees is recommended by SugarCookie

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Comments about SugarCookie’s Review

So do you think you would buy this movie when it comes out on DVD? I know I will but my DVD has a TVG on it so the foul language will be filtered. ~Gigi

I took my man with me and we both loved it! (He actually teared up once too)....shhhh
Dakota Fanning just shines, as usual. She is extremely talented. All of the cast did an AMAZING job with thier performances. A great movie for all to see.