Adapting Sue Monk Kidd’s soft feminist 2002 best-seller, director Gina Prince-Bythewood generously showcases her ensemble cast’s talents.
Comment
10/15/08
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
58
%
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Reviews Counted:134
Fresh:78
Rotten:56
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: The Secret Life of Bees has moments of charm, but is largely too maudlin and sticky-sweet.
Theatrical Release:05-12-2008
Synopsis: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, based on the New York Times best selling novel and 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... [More]
Starring: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Reviews for The Secret Life of Bees
At its best, Secret Life of Bees feels like an American spin on the wonderful Dutch Oscar-winner Antonia's Line, about a utopian matriarchal society that stands apart from a world in chaos.
10/14/08
Even without reading the book, one can easily deduce how this adaptation will explore every single manipulative trick in the book to tug at the heartstrings of women whose emotions are easily manipulated.
10/14/08
The Secret Life of Bees is further evidence that there should be a moratorium on secret-life-of-anything movies.
10/12/08
A remarkably heart-affecting screen version of the deeply spiritual novel by Sue Monk Kidd about the healing and transforming power of love.
10/12/08
There's a whole lotta healing in The Secret Life of Bees. Big Racial Issues too. And down-home heartwarming platitudes set to acoustic guitar ballads by female singers.
10/11/08
Lacking the edge and lyricism of the popular source material, this coming of age saga is too earnest and solemn, and the best element of it may be its casting, offering solid roles to several women of color.
10/11/08
A life-affirming, inspirational story about family, hope and love that tugs at your heartstrings.
10/11/08
Unusual warmth and intelligence makes Bees a cut above the usual sappiness and schmaltz.
10/09/08
Honey-sweet but not cloying account of a 14-year-old's search for love and redemption in 1960s South Carolina.
10/08/08
It's like some mythical civil-rights Southern paradise where racism only rarely rears its ugly head, and thus feels contrived.
09/18/08
An affecting ensemble piece that's destined to generate a fair share of awards-season buzz.
09/16/08
Top CriticLike a mouthful of honey, The Secret Life of Bees is cloyingly sweet and gooey, and you're not quite sure you can swallow it undiluted.
09/08/08
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