The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: The Secret Life of Bees has moments of charm, but is largely too maudlin and sticky-sweet.
The Secret Life of Bees Videos & Photos
Movie Info
Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.
| Rating: | PG-13 (for thematic material and some violence) |
| Genre: | Drama, Action & Adventure |
| Directed By: | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| Written By: | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| In Theaters: | Oct 17, 2008 Wide |
| On DVD: | Feb 3, 2009 |
| Box Office: | $37.7M |
| Runtime: |
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Cast
as August Boatwright
as Lily Owens
as Rosaleen Daise
as June Boatwright
as May Boatwright
as T. Ray Owens
as Deborah Owens
as Zach Taylor
as Neil
as Greta
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LoginCritic Reviews for The Secret Life of Bees
All Critics (137) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (78) | Rotten (57) | DVD (2)
There's a purity, clarity and honesty to this feminist heart-warmer's melodramatic instincts that make it surprisingly moving and satisfying.
All the pieces are there for a good movie but there's an undeniable sense of reluctance to put them into play. Every time it seems like the film might be taking a chance it retreats to safe ground.
A sweet, sentimental story with a sting in the tail.
Can I tell you a secret? This movie is *really* good. Grab Nana and go see it!
Bees is almost too sweet, but with enduring enough performances to make a solid movie.
(...) Hay un mérito atendible en la directora y es evitar caer en la sensiblería barata que el asunto arriesgaba.
Audience Reviews for The Secret Life of Bees
"The Sweet Life of Bees is a film of sad stories with sad situations. I really enjoyed everyones acting. I had my doubts about Alicia Keys as I do all singers/rappers when they try their hand at acting. She surprised me. I thought she did a great job in her role. I loved Q-Latifah in this. Her character is wise and loving. Just what Lily needed.
Lily Owens is a troubled young girl in the search for answers about her mother. Feeling unwanted and abandoned she runs with the one person that shows her kindness and love. Her nanny/housekeeper Rosaleen. Their journey leads to August. From there the mystery of what happened to Lily's mother unravels.
I really enjoyed the sad tale and I look forward to reading the book."
Super Reviewer
Complete and utter feel good Oprah trash.
Super Reviewer
Good movie, sad, but not totally depressing. The whole cast are excellent, particularly Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah. I am not sure I would have wanted to go to the movies and see this one, but as a DVD movie, no complaints.
Super Reviewer
The Secret Life of Bees Quotes
| August Boatwright: | That was May's doing. When we went to the paint shop, she latched on to a color called, "Caribbean Pink." She said it made her feel like dancing a Spanish Flamenco. I personally thought it was the tackiest color I had ever seen, but I figured if it could lift May's heart, it was good enough to live in. |
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