Such a frustrating disappointment

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

I was late finding this movie and it is indeed a 'find'. Part produced by rapper/actor Will Smith (Pursuit of Happiness '06), it tells the story of Lily, a troubled white teenager living with her anger filled father T.Ray - very well played by UK actor Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind '01). After a rather harrowing opening, Lily's reached the stage where she can't take any more emotional torment from her father and runs away with their Negro housekeeper. This leads to several complications. Being set in 1964, a white girl traveling with a black through red-neck South Carolina proves an incendiary combination.A remarkably mature performance by Dakota Fanning brings strong dynamics to her inwards searching character (let's hope Hollywood doesn't throw this fine actress away with mediocre roles). Director and real life adoptee Gina Prince-Bytherwood ('Beyond The Lights' '14) injects elements of personal soul searching into her screenplay adaptation of Sue Monk Kid's 2001 novel. Gina had suffered through a search for her own biological birth mother that ended with a less than satisfactory outcome. She seems the right director for this at-times intense story. For some, there could be the odd situation that may feel a little too set-up - also brief moments where it perhaps strays into coyness but, this could also serve as a welcome break for many viewers. By and large it remains on target as it moves towards its necessary conclusion. The curious cast of assorted American and British female singer/songwriters namely: Queen Latifah ~ Alicia Keys ~ Sophie Okenedo and actress/Spokesperson Jennifer Hudson all work well together. A convincing portrayal is also given by actor/filmmaker Neil Parker (Birth of a Nation '16). Netherlands born director of photography Rogier Stoffers (Disturbia '07) creates a fine sense of personal involvement and treats us to some glowing visuals. Mark Isham keeps the music in check - the sound track also includes several appealing songs that fit very nicely into the story without feeling like they were added for padding. It also features a soul stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace" played on Cello which most unfortunately is not played to its conclusion. Sigh! For those who enjoy a close look into the hearts of others that we share this sometimes sorry world with, then it could be just the right movie for you. A minor draw back at times, could be some of the broad South Carolina accents. This winner of various awards also allows us a welcome look into the world of honey bees. Well worth viewing or buying...

The Secret Life of Bees (2008): Dir: Gina Prince-Bythewood / Cast: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Paul Bettany, Alicia Keys: Insightful and emotional film set in the 1960's where the law was passed that colored people can vote. Dakota Fanning yearns to know who her mother is after a tragedy when she was young. She flees her abusive father along with her black caregiver and they find shelter at a bee farm. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood with bright locations particularly the honey farm. Strong performance by Fanning as the confused teenager. After fleeing from home she grows to enjoy life with this new family but sadden by tragic situations that result due too society tradition. Jennifer Hudson plays her caregiver who suffered at the hands of racism. She will find acceptance and happiness at the bee farm where her skills are put to greater use. Queen Latifah plays the head bee keeper with insight into Fanning's past. Her idol worship scenes are a tad hokey but she brings wisdom and warms to the story. Paul Bettany plays her frustrated father whose wife fled the scene now his daughter abandons him too. While abusive he will come to realize his acts and must face up to who he is and who his daughter is. Alicia Keys is also featured amongst the talented cast and goes beyond her music image. Superb film that brings light to an ugly time in history. Score: 9 / 10

Dakota Fanning plays a teen named Lilly who has lost her mother. She goes in search of answers and ends up in the home of a woman (Queen Latifah) and her sisters, who own bee hives and bottle the honey for a living. Living with the women, she finds purpose in life. A subplot has her unpleasant stepdad looking for her. The story is set in the 1960s Deep South, so there's plenty of racial discord. The movie may remind some of THE COLOR PURPLE or FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. For those old enough to remember, it also bears overtones of A MEMBER OF THE WEDDING. Fanning is heartbreaking as the troubled child and Latifah plays the family matriarch like she was born to it. A good movie, but too long (well over two hours) for its slender plot.

Having read the book and liking it, I found this movie to have the right combination of harsh reality and sentimentality. There are two sets of worker bees here; the actually insects and the women who continue to produces though in the middle of the prejudicial South. Queen Latifah (the queen bee) is incredible, backed up be an excellent cast. The young woman played by Dakota Fanning, is a bet weak at times, but the story carries things along. Her precociousness gets contrasted to her naivete a bit often. There are scenes of great emotion and sadness; also of great violence. We all need sanctuary at times and the women are willing to give this, even though they are dealing with a white girl who could bring trouble at any time. There are a few times when some stupid things are done and you wish they weren't, but this is a movie about hopes and dreams and reconciliation.