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List Price: $19.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 868
Released: February 3, 2009 |
| Our Price: $8.72 |
| Used Price: $1.80 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
SET IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1964, IS THE MOVING TALE OF LILY OWENS (FANNING) A 14 YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO IS HAUNTED BY THE MEMORY OF HER LATE MOTHER (BURTON).
Description of The Secret Life of Bees:
Headed by an all-star cast of women, The Secret Life of Bees is the heartwarming and well-told story of a young girl who finds love and acceptance from a trio of independent sisters. The Secret Life of Bees is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Sue Monk Kidd and centers around the plight of 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning). Assuming the burden for her mother's premature death, she has a precarious relationship with her abusive father T. Ray (Paul Bettany). Lily's only friend is her caregiver Rosaleen (Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson). Set in South Carolina in 1964, when civil rights wasn't a given, Rosaleen's life is threatened by racists who'd just as soon see her dead than exercise her right to vote. Lily runs away with her to a town she believes may hold the secrets of her mother's life. There the pair meet the Boatwright sisters August (Queen Latifah), June (Alicia Keys) and May (Sophie Okonedo)--who produce the area's famous Black Madonna honey. They eventually provide Lily with the unconditional love she never felt she had and also show Rosaleen that being a black woman in the South doesn't mean she can't have a sense of worth. The Secret Life of Bees doesn't try to pass itself off as a historical documentation of race relations in the 1960s. But the fictional slice of life still resonates because of the feelings of injustice that it stirs up. Though the film is written to show the disparity between blacks and whites, there is always a strong sense of hope, thanks to the lead actresses who bring empathy and dignity to their roles. Hudson exhibits some of the same quiet grace that Regina Taylor brought to her role as the family housekeeper in the superb TV series I'll Fly Away. Latifah has the part of wise matriarch down pat, even when she's playing a sister rather than a mother. And it's clear that Fanning is making a seamless transition from kid to young adult roles. Whether she's giving an impassioned monologue or listening thoughtfully, Fanning brings nuance and intelligence to her role. --Jae-Ha Kim
Stills from The Secret Life of Bees (Click for larger image)
The Secret Life of Bees Reviews:
The Secret Life of Bees 
2009-10-02 - This is an excellent movie covering subjects such as black/white relationships, coming of age issues and sisterhood. It is a very heartwarming story that will leave you thinking about it for a while.
One in a million
2009-09-29 - There are sooooo few good movies out there these days - the vast majority are a major waste of time (and money). This one, however, stood out from all the rest, and it did so on all accounts! The acting is fantastic and the story is beautiful. I agree with everyone who said that this is a must buy (not a rental), a true and rare treasure that you'll want to watch over and over again.
One of the best movies I've seen in along time
2009-09-07 - "The Secret life of Bees" should have been a HUGE hit.All of the actors are great,especially Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning.
The film takes us to the early 60's,and the times this group of women had to face.
"The Secret Life of Bees" is a movie for Everyone.
A real tear-jerker
2009-09-06 - I loved Sue Monk Kidd's novel "The Secret Life of Bees" and was pleased with the film adaptation as well. The movie's strongest asset is its wonderful cast, which is led by young Dakota Fanning as Lily Owen, who is haunted by the role she played in her mother's death and forced to endure a terrible relationship with her abusive father, T. Ray (Paul Bettany). Lily's one true confidant is her caregiver, Rosalee (Jennifer Hudson), who is arrested after a violent confrontation with some racist men in town. Lily manages to help Rosalee escape, and together the head to the home of the Boatwright sisters, August (Queen Latifah), June (Alicia Keys), and May (Sophie Okonedo). Lily and Rosalee take refuge in the Boatwright house and assist with the sisters' honey-making business as Lily secretly searches for some answers to her troubled past.
This is a great movie that stays true to the novel it was based on. The film also made me a fan of Fanning, who has always annoyed me in her other movies but has developed into a fine young actress. I look forward to seeing more of her maturer roles in the future.
Secret Life of Bees
2009-08-22 - Wow! I think this is a great movie for mothers and daughters. This was an absolutely wonderful movie. Great cast choices all around. I read the book a few years ago, but the cast added so much. This made me want to hug my two daughters a little tighter and remind them each day how much they are loved. I absolutely recommend this movie. It's about finding love and loving yourself. Just wow.
