johnstonjames Wow. This was a really good movie. The only reason why I didn't give it ten stars is because I reserve ten stars for the movies I really, really love and am a fan of, and nine stars for something I think is pretty much best picture material. I can't say I felt that way about the film, but I still thought it was excellent and very worthwhile.The acting here is incredible. The women were intense and thoughtful, and it's always good to see these fine actress in almost anything, especially something this good. I've always thought Dakota Fanning was a superb actress for a juvenile, and this film really suits her acting talent,(far better than the flat, one-dimensional tween sci-fi dud 'Push')This film is basically a women's film, but gender should not bias the viewer. It's great entertainment with important, timeless messages about human rights and respect. this movie should be seen by everyone, especially young people.

tubby1 The Secret Life of Bees unlike the meticulous insect this film is named after is void of coherency and organisation. The book is thoughtful but the film just seems to block-out this need and produce a turgid, slow and queer tale.The story does not structurally hold form and their is no weightiness to the narrative. The Secret Life of Bees tirelessly regurgitates the usual devices to promote its themes, which are mostly weak and brittle. There comes a point in most films where you grasp what the film is about, and you can follow the story with a sense of purpose. The Life of Bees just doesn't provide that purpose it glides rather sub-consciously through a story.Queen Latifah is the only actress to bring character and a strong presence to the film. All the characters are one-dimensional, and you cannot be charmed by such artificiality. The film has a heart but it is firmly superficial and saccharine. The score is decidedly messy, it appears to just 'break-in' on the film, and create an abrupt interruption.The Secret Life of Bees struggles and struggles. The whole of the film fails to provide a firm platform of coherency and is a poor eccentric sort of fairytale. The film is confused and beats without purpose leaving an ugly sting in its tail.

scootmandutoo I am a film buff, yet there are just a handful of films that blew me away emotionally at first watch. This is one of those films.I wasn't expecting this. I actually had gotten the DVD months ago and couldn't figure out why I hadn't seen it yet. I did not know the story, but I did like the cast and I had heard some good things. Even though I was a child at the time, that era has always fascinated and perplexed me. It's probably why my all time favorite TV series was "I'll Fly Away." This movie has a flawless cast. I was especially impressed with Dakota Fanning's continued development as an actress. But Jennifer Hudson and Sophie Okonedo were incandescent. Alicia Keys was a revelation in this film, though it took me a little while to warm up to her. And, Queen Latifah...well, this lady just seems to center everything.Movies to me are sometimes life-changing events. The ones that resonate the best are the ones that effectively give lessons about life.I guess if I mention that my all time favorite film is "A River Runs Through It," it might begin to explain why I instantly fell in love with this film. It has something profound to teach. And it does it with unforgettable imagery. Only time will tell if this film will stay with me like "River" did, but I suspect it will be a film I think about for quite some time.I have only watched the director's cut, so my comments are based on that, though I will go back and watch the theatrical version.This film truly is a gift.

edwagreen Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah give interesting performances in this film.Surprisingly, Jennifer Hudson shows promise as a caregiver beaten up when she tries to register to vote in 1964 down south. This is not played up and pretty soon Hudson's role is entirely relegated to very little here. This is a major disappointment.When a 4 year old girl tragically kills her abused mother in a terrible accident, the girl at such a tender age can never truly understand what had happened that led to such an awful thing. Raised by an abusive, drunken father who was the same to her mother, the child finally runs away with her caregiver (Hudson) and the two flee to the home of Queen Latifah in South Carolina. After a while, it turns out that Latifah had cared for the girl's mother and that the latter had fled to Latifah's home when she ran away. The mother had returned after several months to get her daughter when the tragedy occurred. Wasn't the father held responsible for having a gun in the house?Latifah's home is painted in Pepto Bismol color. Can you imagine referring to house by that description? Too much begins to go on. A sister, April is already dead and May, emotionally unbalanced, soon joins April. June is frustrated and turns down the proposal of a lovely man. Latifah nicknames Hudson July. What are we playing a name by months game? Come on.The ending is riveting but by this time we're a little tired of all this. Bees on the farm love honey. This film is far from honey.