After a long delay, Sue Monk Kidd's bestseller, 'The Secret Life Of Bees' is finally a film-- with an all-star cast to boot. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and starring Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Tristan Wilds, the film is laced with dramatic and powerful performances. It's certain to satisfy the fans of the book and newcomers to the story.
Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Hilary Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Paul Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend. The duo travels to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Rosaleen is also a fugitive, having fled from authorities after standing up for herself against white racists. Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, August (Latifah), May (Okonedo), and June (Keys) and find solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.
Alicia Keys Pictures
(L-R) Cast of the movie "The Secret Life of Bees" Tristan Wilds, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys and Nate Parker pose during a news conference at the 33rd Toronto International Film Festival in this September 6, 2008 file photo. The movie, which opens on Friday, is based on a best-selling novel set in 1964 when the U.S. Congress was debating landmark civil rights legislation. In taking audiences back to that time period, it tells a new generation -- Fanning's -- that people of different races have more in common, than not. REUTERS/Mike Cassese/Files (CANADA)
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U.S. performer Alicia Keys gestures during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
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U.S. singer Alicia Keys performs during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
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U.S. singer Alicia Keys performs during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
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U.S. singer Alicia Keys performs during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
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U.S. singer Alicia Keys performs during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
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In this image released by Fox Searchlight Pictures, Queen Latifah, left, Jennifer Hudson, center, and Alicia Keys are shown in a scene from "The Secret Life of Bees." (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight Pictures, Sidney Baldwin) ** NO SALES **
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U.S. singer Alicia Keys performs in Prague's Tesla Arena Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008. The concert is a part of the world tour to support her new album As I Am. (AP Photo/CTK, Stan Peska) ** SLOVAKIA OUT **
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U.S. rhythm & blues and soul singer Alicia Keys performs in Prague's Tesla Arena Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008. The concert is a part of the world tour to support her new album As I Am. (AP Photo/CTK, Stan Peska) ** SLOVAKIA OUT **
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Alicia Keys performs during the 2008 Bermuda Music Festival on October 4, 2008 in Hamilton, Bermuda..2008 Bermuda Music Festival - Day 4.Hamilton, Bermuda.October 4, 2008.Photo by Monica Morgan/WireImage.com..To license this image (55888855), contact WireImage.com
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It's been years since Gina Prince-Bythewood directed a film ('Love and Basketball' and 'Disappearing Acts') yet 'Bees' proves that she hasn't missed a beat. She examines the racial tension and violence that existed in the South in the 1960s without becoming overbearing, yet the film does get sentimental at times. However, the performances really stand out.
Fanning, who has basically grown up before our eyes delivers a wonderful performance. While her character's background may seem similar to the one Fanning played in 'Hounddog,' in which she yearns for a mother and stability, the tone of the film is entirely different. The matriarch of the group, probably on and off the set, Latifah plays her role with confidence and grace. As elder sister August, she is the voice of reason for all around her.
Jennifer Hudson really sank her teeth into this film, and proves that her Oscar for 'Dreamgirls' wasn't all about her singing ability. Playing the sister who's a little 'touched' in the head, Okonedo doesn't go over-the-top and brings a sense of reality that all is not right in the world. Keys should shed her neophyte acting status once moviegoers and critics see her performance. She can hold her own with the rest of the ladies and shows a range that can take her to bigger roles in the future.
As for the guys, Bettany seemed too much of a heavyweight in the beginning for one to question his casting, but towards the end was then given some worthy scenes to make himself useful and relevant. Kudos for casting Tristan Wilds. He was mesmerizing in HBO's The Wire series, and is amazing to see his talent explored on the big screen. In general, what makes 'The Secret Life of Bees' an entertaining and poignant film is the chemistry between the cast that translates on screen.
1. I love black movies movies and I cant wait to see this this one with my sisters!
sofi at 5:01PM on Oct 17th 2008