Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 23
 Love, love, love January 26, 2009
Anna (London)
59 out of 62 found this review helpful
Dakota Fanning used to scare me. She and sister Elle reminded me of the Children of the Corn. But it has to be said she was a phenomenally talented child, and she is developing into a wonderful actress of an altogether grown uppier breed. The Secret Life of Bees sees her playing Lily Owens, a 14 year old girl living in South Carolina in the 1960s.
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br /The first line of the film: "I killed my mother when I was 4 years old... that's what I knew about myself." That's the sadness that follows her throughout the film, and gradually she unravels the truth of what led to that tragedy. Her discovering what happened is the spine of the story, albeit a somewhat peripheral one.
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br /Her abusive father is played by British actor Paul Bettany (in what is perhaps the performance of his career to date) and her nanny, Rosaleen, is played by Jennifer Hudson. When Rosaleen stands up to some racists in town and is badly beaten, she and Lily run for their lives.
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br /They find themselves at the door of a candy-pink house where 3 sisters live: August, May and June Boatwright - played by Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys, respectively. August is a big lady with a big heart who pours all her love into her family and making honey. This is where the bees come in, and where the film really and truly begins.
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br /The entire film is draped in honey: it's golden and easy. There are dragonflies and dappled leaves, budding love affairs and cold lemonade on the porch. All set to a backdrop of the buzz of bumblebees, and the civil rights movement, and the loss of loved ones.
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br /In several places, it's not an easy film to watch. It's amazing that 3 of the stars (Latifah, Keyes and Hudson) started off as singers, as their performances are flawless, with real pathos and power. That being said, not one person lets it down. In fact, I can't think of a single thing wrong with the entire film. Its pacing is perfect; the plot stays close to the novel; it's beautiful to look at; the acting is exemplary; the music is lovely and the direction is magnificent.
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br /It's a beautiful film that you'll want to watch again and again, and it is fully deserving of all 5 stars.
The Queen Bee of 2008 Movies February 1, 2009
Matthew Wilson (Cumbria, UK)
26 out of 28 found this review helpful
Ok, so I read the novel in a few short days, and instantly had to watch it. If you are more than aware, most people think the book is far better than the film interpretation, but for me, I'd say the film was on par. It is a beautifully shot film, with some brilliant actresses, and Paul Bettany plays T.Ray just the way I'd imagined him to be. It is a very sad film, but it tells a very interesting story of loss and overcoming difficulties in growing up. Definitely watch it if you've considered it before, you will not be disappointed.
A great film of an even better book. August 27, 2009
squeeze box (London, England)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a really well made film with a first rate cast. It is set against the backdrop of racial intolerance in the American deep south (and there is much more development of this strand in the book) but essentially it is the story of a group of women coming together, supporting each other through hard times and making the best of their lives. As a "relationship" film I guess it will be enjoyed more by women.
The Secret Life of Bees on DVD June 27, 2009
Bryson Fan (South East England)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The book by Sue Monk Kidd has to be my favourite book of all time. I loved it so much, I bought all my friends a copy and they loved it too. When the film came out, it came out on limited release and no cinema near me showed it so I was desperate for it to be released on DVD.
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br /All I can say is I loved it. The acting was superb, the characters beautifully bought to life, especially August played by Queen Latifah and Lily, by Dakota Fanning, although it isn't really fair to pick out just two actresses - they were all wonderful. My only tiny complaint was Paul Bettany as Lily's father. In the book, his character is much uglier, harsher and less sympathetic than Paul Bettany's portrayal but maybe that was deliberate.
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br /I have heard people say this is a story of the fight for racial equality in the USA but that is only one facet of this story. It is a book about fighting for acceptance, whether as a child who has lost her mother, as a woman or as a black person. It is about belonging and the need to be accepted for who we are, without judgement. It is about forgiveness. It is about humanity and love, looking for and finding both in unexpected places, if we only open our eyes and see past the obvious.
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br /It is a wonderful story tinged with sadness but with much humour, with characters we can all relate to, irrespective or race, colour or creed. I highly recommend the book as a brilliant read and the DVD for the way it brings the characters to life.
Mums buzzing about this one.... July 1, 2009
Mark Jones (Essex, UK)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Bought for my mum to watch instead of TV rubbish, she said it was a lovely story, and it certainly has some wonderful actresses in it, and kept her engrosed for a couple of hours in which time she totally relaxed and got a great nights sleep afterwards, so money well spent.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 23
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