THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES
Starring: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany, Alicia Keys, Hilarie Burton and Nate Parker
Directed By: Gina Prince-Bythewood
PG-13 for thematic material and some violence
By John Delia
The Secret Life of Bees breaks out of the hive with a wonderful story, enjoyable characters and an amazing acting Tour de Force. The film grabs you from the very beginning and keeps your attention till the emotion filled ending. Although skewed somewhat toward female viewers, most males, especially drama lovers will feel the passion of the racial discrimination storyline.
The film opens in the early 1960’s during a period of American History where racial segregation in the South has hit a high mark. Young Lilly (Fanning) lives with her domineering father (Bettany) who can’t get rid of the haunting memory of his wife Deborah (Burton) being killed in a freak gun accident he blames on his daughter. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to the South Carolina home of the Boatwrights, May (Okonedo), June (Keys) and August (Latifah). Here she finds the secret to her mother’s past.
I was totally taken by this period piece involving the weakness of America during the time when African Americans were fighting for their rights. Although government legislation was put in place, most segregationists would not accept the law. The film touches on the bigotry and racial tension that was widespread in some southern states during that time.
The film has a remarkable cast in Latifah, Keys, Hudson, Okonedo and Fanning. Okonedo’s performance certainly deserves extra praise as May who’s harboring deep seeded memories of her dead sister. Her depiction of the sweet and kindly yet depressed woman brought a tear or two when she makes a decision that brings sorrow to their sisters’ lives. Keys shows her acting ability with the character June, an attractive young lady that shows her condescending side when August takes Lilly into their home. While Hudson gains more and more domination of the screen with her portrayal of the racially disparaged Rosaleen, Latifah continues her gentle side as the acting patriarch of the Boatwrights. I was pleasantly surprised with Fanning’s performance as the white abused child who has to come to terms with the spirit of her mother.
There is some very harsh brutality, brief language and depiction of death in the film, so take this into consideration when bringing youngsters to the film.
FINAL ALALYSIS: The Secret Life of Bees is a magnificent must see film for drama lovers. (5 of 5 stars)