The Secret Life of Bees (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
South Carolina, 1964: Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) is a 14 yr. old living on her abusive father's peach farm. Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) is her nanny who stands in as a mother figure (Lily's mom died in a horrific domestic accident when she was only 4 yrs. old). The plot is set into motion when Rosaleen marches into town to vote for the very 1st time. After insulting some town racists (subsequently getting beaten), Lily is forced to free Rosaleen from the hospital, flee, & head towards a town that she believes had ties with her much-missed mother. With nothing but the shirts on their backs, they hope that the 3 estranged Boatright sisters can help get them back on their feet. 'The Secret Life of Bees' (directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood) isn't extraordinary, but it has NO weaknesses. What you get is a touching, low-key movie that hits all the right chords, without necessarily banging on them. That's how you do it.
The events surrounding the death of her mother has really shaped Lily's existence. Not only is she abused by her father, T. Ray (Paul Bettany), but there's a hole in her soul; a feeling that no one loves her. The only memory Lily has of her mother comes from a trinket or two, a picture, & the story (from her father) that she intended to leave the both of them. Determined to learn more about her mom, and holding on to the belief that she was loved at some point in her life by somebody, Lily uses this as a catalyst for her escape to the town of Tiburon. Once there, the duo sweet talks the intelligent, independent, & cultured Boatright sisters to take them in for a while. They are August, May & June (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys).
August is the all-knowing, all-loving matriarch of the family; the oldest sister, & owner of her own prosperous bee farm/honey-making company. May is the sweet, almost infantile sister whose sunny face hides a well of sadness in her heart. And June is the skeptical sister. Not only is she a classical cellist, but she's also a civil rights activist & feminist; letting her afro grow out, & wearing pants. She's a hard one to win over; and immediately disapproves of Rosaleen/Lily's presence in their safe haven. Sure enough, although Lily gets to learn about beekeeping, and although they all initially get along, & meet new people of influence ... tragedy strikes the household. Feeling like she's to blame, Lily lives dangerously on the edge of sanity for a while. Will she ever shake the haunting memory of her mother? Will her neglectful father find her? Did the Boatrights make a mistake by letting 'the world' in?
The fact that this story unfolds against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement is huge. We bear witness to the bigotries; the discrimination (separate entrances for colored folks). We witness the anger, confusion, & prejudices (Lily's friend, Zachary, feels the effect). But there's an underlying theme of hope for a better future; Martin Luther King's great hope. Yes, it may be odd to see 3 black women living a respected & comfortable life in the middle of a mainly white community (whereas the likes of Lily's town beat up Rosaleen). But this is how the story was written, so we have no choice but to go with it. The ending of the film is filled with enough love & inspiration to combat much of the somberness that creeps into the plot some time earlier.
Dakota Fanning is believable as a smart, but nearly-hopeless teen who's on the brink of going in so many directions. She's sympathetic, admirable & got me to sob twice in this movie! Jennifer Hudson has a small role, but she's convincing in both hard times (getting beaten) & lighter times; bringing the 'funny' to some ironic situations at the Boatright residence. Sophie Okonedo (so good in Hotel Rwanda) is wonderful. Her performance can only be described as delicate. And Queen Latifah is totally on her game. Her belief in the Black Madonna (a religious figure) helps her make sense of both the blessings that happen to them, & the atrocities. Latifah just has an ineffable presence that puts you at ease. I wasn't bowled over by Alicia Key's portrayal; but she certainly wasn't bad. And Paul Bettany is stellar as a man so clouded by hate that he can barely see his own daughter in front of him.
For once, it was interesting to see a story in which black characters help out a white character; right in the middle of one of the most tumultuous times in African-American history, no less. It's a bold plot point; but a successful one. 'Bees' shows that it IS possible to find joy in what may seem to be an unendurable situation; that love & redemption can pave a way to self-forgiveness. There are always bumps in the road. But you can't just give up on life; you have to fight. This is a heartwarming movie that uses subtle touches to knock the wind out of you, emotionally. Yes, it has its too-earnest moments. It may be a bit sentimental, at times. But it's a really good movie. Anyone with half a brain & half a heart can realize that.
The events surrounding the death of her mother has really shaped Lily's existence. Not only is she abused by her father, T. Ray (Paul Bettany), but there's a hole in her soul; a feeling that no one loves her. The only memory Lily has of her mother comes from a trinket or two, a picture, & the story (from her father) that she intended to leave the both of them. Determined to learn more about her mom, and holding on to the belief that she was loved at some point in her life by somebody, Lily uses this as a catalyst for her escape to the town of Tiburon. Once there, the duo sweet talks the intelligent, independent, & cultured Boatright sisters to take them in for a while. They are August, May & June (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys).
August is the all-knowing, all-loving matriarch of the family; the oldest sister, & owner of her own prosperous bee farm/honey-making company. May is the sweet, almost infantile sister whose sunny face hides a well of sadness in her heart. And June is the skeptical sister. Not only is she a classical cellist, but she's also a civil rights activist & feminist; letting her afro grow out, & wearing pants. She's a hard one to win over; and immediately disapproves of Rosaleen/Lily's presence in their safe haven. Sure enough, although Lily gets to learn about beekeeping, and although they all initially get along, & meet new people of influence ... tragedy strikes the household. Feeling like she's to blame, Lily lives dangerously on the edge of sanity for a while. Will she ever shake the haunting memory of her mother? Will her neglectful father find her? Did the Boatrights make a mistake by letting 'the world' in?
The fact that this story unfolds against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement is huge. We bear witness to the bigotries; the discrimination (separate entrances for colored folks). We witness the anger, confusion, & prejudices (Lily's friend, Zachary, feels the effect). But there's an underlying theme of hope for a better future; Martin Luther King's great hope. Yes, it may be odd to see 3 black women living a respected & comfortable life in the middle of a mainly white community (whereas the likes of Lily's town beat up Rosaleen). But this is how the story was written, so we have no choice but to go with it. The ending of the film is filled with enough love & inspiration to combat much of the somberness that creeps into the plot some time earlier.
Dakota Fanning is believable as a smart, but nearly-hopeless teen who's on the brink of going in so many directions. She's sympathetic, admirable & got me to sob twice in this movie! Jennifer Hudson has a small role, but she's convincing in both hard times (getting beaten) & lighter times; bringing the 'funny' to some ironic situations at the Boatright residence. Sophie Okonedo (so good in Hotel Rwanda) is wonderful. Her performance can only be described as delicate. And Queen Latifah is totally on her game. Her belief in the Black Madonna (a religious figure) helps her make sense of both the blessings that happen to them, & the atrocities. Latifah just has an ineffable presence that puts you at ease. I wasn't bowled over by Alicia Key's portrayal; but she certainly wasn't bad. And Paul Bettany is stellar as a man so clouded by hate that he can barely see his own daughter in front of him.
For once, it was interesting to see a story in which black characters help out a white character; right in the middle of one of the most tumultuous times in African-American history, no less. It's a bold plot point; but a successful one. 'Bees' shows that it IS possible to find joy in what may seem to be an unendurable situation; that love & redemption can pave a way to self-forgiveness. There are always bumps in the road. But you can't just give up on life; you have to fight. This is a heartwarming movie that uses subtle touches to knock the wind out of you, emotionally. Yes, it has its too-earnest moments. It may be a bit sentimental, at times. But it's a really good movie. Anyone with half a brain & half a heart can realize that.