The Secret Life of Bees - Review

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Length: 110 min

Rated: PG-13

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Release Date: 2008-10-17

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo Paul Bettany, Nate Parker, Tristan Wilds

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood

Produced by James Lassiter, Ewan Leslie, Joe Pichirallo, Lauren Shuler Donner, Will Smith

Written by Gina Prince-Bythewood

Visit the movie's Official Site!

Reviewed by Katey Rich : 2008-10-09 14:21:09

The Secret Life of Bees belongs in part to the troubled genre of “magical Negro” stories, in which a white protagonist is somehow enlightened or rescued by a particularly special black person (Jim in Huck Finn is an early example). But happily, Sue Monk Kidd's novel and its adaptation by Gina Prince-Bythewood avoids stereotyping and easy answers, presenting a coming-of-age story that goes easy on the life lessons and forced moments of racial understanding. Crowded with vibrant characters and a wealth of talent, Secret Life of Bees is cuddly enough for Oprah but never cloying, a refreshing take on the more standard, calculated stories of female empowerment.

Dakota Fanning stars as Lily, a 14-year-old who grew up only with her abusive father, T. Ray (Paul Bettany, a surprisingly convincing Southerner), after she accidentally shot her mother at the age of four. When Lily's nanny Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) is beaten by a white mob one her way to register to vote, Lily takes the opportunity to run away from home. She and Rosaleen make their way to the nearby town of Tiburon, South Carolina, where Lily's only remaining mementoes of her mother suggest she'll find a home.

That's precisely what Lily finds at the Pepto Bismol-pink home of the Boatwright sisters, a trio of black women who run a beekeeping business on their property. The oldest, August (Queen Latifah), immediately accepts Lily into her maternal embrace, while youngest sister June (Alicia Keys), a burgeoning Black Power activist, is more skeptical of the white runaway. Also in the house is May (Sophie Okonedo), emotionally damaged by the death of her twin sister some years earlier, who forms an immediate bond with Rosaleen.

The story then follows a series of episodes with each character, as Lily tentatively falls for August's godson Zach (Tristan Wilds), June repeatedly turns down proposals from her boyfriend Neil (Nate Parker, as charming here as he was in his breakout Great Debaters role), and Lily slowly decides to tell August the real reason she's arrived on her doorstep. There's tragedy and a racially-motivated mob attack, but for the most part Secret Life of Bees brings more tears of joy than sadness.

The bees of the title don't amount to much more than a story gimmick-- the Boatwrights could just as easily have been jelly makers or tomato farmers-- and you get the feeling that some characters, May and Rosaleen in particular, were better fleshed out in the book. But each of the actresses stake out their characters as defined individuals, aided greatly by Prince-Bythewood's unwillingness to take the easy way out and make the whole thing about one white girl's coming-of-age. Okonedo is plainly transformed as the childlike May, and even Hudson, who hadn't really demonstrated acting talent to this point, holds her own. Fanning has grown well into adolescent roles, even if she's still over-reliant on wide-eyed stares, and Keys is fierce and funny as the modern June. Latifah, in a role that leans dangerously close to the stereotypical Mammy, brings unusual warmth and intelligence to August.

In fact, it's unusual warmth and intelligence overall that makes Bees such a pleasure, a cut above the sappiness and schmaltz so many directors think women demand in their movies. Filmed beautifully on location in rural North Carolina, Secret Life of Bees captures a South that contains kindness and beauty even in a time of hate, moving beyond some of the usual preconceptions about the Jim Crow era. As a coming-of-age story, the movie is mostly the usual stuff, but it's a rare opportunity to see a group of fantastic actresses in a story that, for once, doesn't revolve entirely around men.

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Fran
November 19, 2008 at 18:34

My husband and I saw the movie this afternoon and we both throughly enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if he would like it but he said he would recommend it to folks. I was particularly absorbed since my childhood was in rural North Carolina and it brought back memories....(I had also read the book.)

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K.C. Bernard
November 3, 2008 at 17:32

For those discussing the "pepto bismal pink" reference, the book itself called it pepto bismal pink. So no one is knocking the color of the house, its just how the author described it.
I have not seen the movie yet, but am definitly looking forward to it.

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Jennifer
November 2, 2008 at 19:46

It was very excellent! :D It made me cry and smile throughout the film! Yeah, Dakota Fanning's "wide-eyed stares" do get a bit annoying, though... nonetheless, it was really well-done!

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Laura
October 26, 2008 at 02:30

I suppose you could interpet the character of August as similiar to Huck Finn or even Bagger Vance. However, in a broader sense, she represents someone who through her love makes a profound impact on another's life, similar the the good priest in Les Miserables who helps Jean Valjean.

As for the pink house, it certainly is not pepto-bismol pink. There is a building pepto-bismol pink in Charlotte, N. C. See it for comparision. The pink house in this movie reminds me more of a certain shade of azalea. It is much richer, and redder than pepto-bismol.

Further, August's role is more complex and nuanced that the usual depiction of a mammy in the movies or books. She teaches, she counsels, she stands up for Lily. When she talks to Lily about love in relationships, she explains very well how complicated the relational history between blacks and whites has been thoughout the years.

An excellent movie.

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Jennifer
October 19, 2008 at 18:32

Well I'm not sure about the "magical negro" term. It might be stereotypical, but the truth is a lot of white children have been raised by strong black women especially in the south, as nannies, maids or whatever during that time period. It was a wonderful movie. One of the best I've seen in a long time. The acting is great. Dakota Fanning is really talented. Every woman should go see it:)

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david Fairfield
October 17, 2008 at 18:25

i didn't even finish reading this review. if the reviewer actually thinks that the house is "pepto bismol" pink then i can't take anything else she has to say seriously. ever seen a bottle of pepto bismol? i realize this might seem petty to some however the character that wanted the house painted bright pink would never have settled for pepto bismal pink. she misses the point and uses an analogy that is completely off the mark. sorry "ya'll"...

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Chantel Citizen
October 16, 2008 at 10:52

This is a good movie, of course the book is better. This is a beautiful movie of how black women have always taken a motherly role to all race of children. You have to see it more than once!!!

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Zakea Wyatt
October 16, 2008 at 09:41

I honestly do not appreciate the fact that ya'll are hating on my man and his movie. i saw the premire last night the movie was the best ever...the bad dakota fanning kissed my husband tristan wilds otherwise Secret Life of Bees is a 10/10

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Rita
October 10, 2008 at 18:52

One correction.....the bees DO have a meaning, if you remember at the beginning of the book, when the bees came to Lily. There's a full-circle connection. I won't say any more so as not to ruin the story, but the meaning will be clear.

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