The Secret Life of Bees, 2008

Director: Gina Prince-Blythewood
Starring:  Dakota Fanning; Queen Latifha; Jennifer Hudson; Tristan Wilds; Alicia Keys
IMDB Link: The Secret Life of Bees

sez says: I read the book, so I wanted to see the movie. The story stayed close to the book. Some of the sets were a little over the top pretty; having too much sunshine shining through the trees, etc, and looking like a Kincaid painting. Enough already, we can stand nature in the buff--it doesn't have to be decorated.  But I did enjoy the costumes (real 1964 fashion).  This is a romantic tale with a serious personal drama set inside it.  It is weepy / feel good story and it turns the tables on the old tale of the liberal white folks who stand up for some down trodden 'negro'.  Here the black community, and in particular black women, hold up the universe--having humanity and wisdom by the bushel and being willing to share it. Add to that strong all around acting.  And you have an easy to watch movie.  No, it is not profound. It is not a masterpiece. It is just a good story --and, I am sorry to say, one a lot of people really ought to see--esp the ones stuck back there wrapped in white liberal pride for 'helping' the black folks.   It is way over due for there to be some stories that there are plenty of black folks who do just fine, thank you, and who in fact can, as often as not, do what needs to be done better than whites.  GRADE C

mjc says:   I didn't read the book, so I don't know its connections to the movie.  I thought it was a way into the racial history of the time for those who don't know much about what was happening at the time of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  So that is a good thing, though I'm not sure who will watch it except the "choir" to whom it preaches.  Nevertheless, a worthwhile project by all means.  GRADE B+