Review: The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

[Tim Voon]

Film Review - The Secret Life of Bees 2008
By Tim Voon
3 out of 5 stars

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES is based on a bestselling novel by Sue Monk
Kid. Like any novel of some given success it becomes a target for some
Hollywood executive in the hopes of being a lucrative endeavour. In
this case, I believe that one of the list of executive producers were
the Smiths (Jade and Will). It had moderate success at the US box
office and was only made with a budget of 11 million.

The line up of actors is impressive which includes some of the music
industry's finest female African American artists - Alicia Keys and
Jennifer Hudson who can both act well. Included is Dakota Fanning one
of the few child actors who have made a successful transition to
teenage actor and likely to adult actor as well. Queen Latifah wraps
up the final major cast member and she is always a delight to watch on
screen.

This movie is designed to be a major tear jerker from the horrific
opening scenes of domestic violence and death. Set in the 60's of
southern USA when racial violence and tension was still prevalent in
the south. It is during this period of time when a child Lily Owens
(Dakota Fanning) runs away from home with her house maid (Jennifer
Hudson). The tone of the escape could almost be described as
Huckleberry Finish with a twist of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Both are
fugitives, one is escaping her violent father (Paul Bettany) and the
other is escaping the law for being rude to a white man.

They find refuge with Bee Keeper/Honey Maker August Boatwright (Queen
Latifah) and her sisters (Alicia Keys and Sophie Okenedo). It is here
that the young girls find healing for their souls. Just as honey can
be used to nourish the soul and heal wounds. The company of the
Boatwright sisters act as balm for the spirits of the two escapees. It
is here that the movie overflows with sisterly bonding - girls playing
with each other's hair, squirting each other with water, making
cookies for each other, holding spiritual ceremonies and telling
stories about a black Madonna. I was sure that I was drowning in
treacle and molasses somewhere in the middle of the movie. This is not
necessarily a bad thing. It is after all catered for all the mothers,
daughters, aunts and grandmothers out there in the world who are
crying for some identity and recognition.

So the answer to the question lingering at the back of your mind is
this a chick flick? YES it is. However, it is one of the better ones
out there floating in the sea of Kleenex tissues and warm quilts. It
is the story about the empowerment of black women in a white man's
world, about self discovery, forgiveness and redemption. If this isn't
enough to bring a tear to your eye, then you may have a heart of
stone.

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