The Secret Life Of Bees

Review by Sean Lynch

There are times in your life, as a lowly movie reviewer, when you just have to accept that not all movies are going to work for you.

Because no matter how opened minded you are - the day will come when you just have to accept that some movies are only going to be enjoyed by my sisters.

Such is the case with The Secret Life Of Bees.

It's a film so jam packed with girl power, sentimentality and squishy female body parts -  anyone with even the slightest hint of a penis will feel like more of an outcast than Judd Neslon does at an Oscar party.

Based on the book of the same name (gee - didn't see that one coming Hollywood!) The Secret Life Of Bees is a story about the need for love, family and ultimately - redemption.

Set in South Carolina during the turbulent Civil Rights era, the home of the intelligent and independent honey-making Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo) is suddenly thrust into upheaval with the arrival of 14 year old Lily Owens (a "blossoming" Dakota Fanning) and her caretaker Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson).

It seems the two are on the run from family issues and... society in general.

Surrounded by some good ol' fashioned southern love and a good dose of deep rooted spirituality, Lily soon forms a maternal bond with each of the women  - who no doubt reconcile the absence of her real mother (who she accidentally murdered at the age of four).

Trying desperately to capture the old southern charm that made Fried Green Tomatoes a classic, Bees more often than not, seems to struggle to capitalise on it's opportunities to tug at the heart strings.

Sure, there are some great moments throughout - but it is a long, hard slog trying to get there.

Perhaps the audience is meant to feel the same alienation and subsequent acceptance that Lily is experiencing in real time - but if that isn't the case - then the first three quarters of the film are luke warm at best.

It's like being promised a sumptuous roast lunch that is served at 3pm. By the time it finally hits the table, you've already filled yourself up with bread - leaving the "big finish" kind of underwhelming and unimpressive.

Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys offer up some strong performances - especially Keyes whose beauty is nothing short of stunning - while Queen Latifah tries valiantly, but seems somewhat of her depth, taking on a role which clearly should have been cast with someone much older (was Whoopi busy?) and wiser.

The Secret Life Of Bees is by no means a car wreck - by any stretch of the imagination (it's destined to have plenty in the audience in tears) with some truly touching and endearing moments, but ultimately this meal feels a little undercooked.

2.5 out of 5

The Secret Life Of Bees
Australian release: 5th March, 2009
Official Site: The Secret Life Of Bees
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood