Review of The Secret Life of Bees (2008) by Tom B — 15 Apr 2013
A meditation on family, love, hate and how life is unbearable if we take its unfairness and random violence to heart. Dakota Fanning is a 14-year old damaged by the fear that neither her mother who she accidentally shot nor her father loved her. Queen Latifah heads a middle-class African-American family in the South in 1964 who endures more than its share of heartache, but perseveres. The film is sometimes uncomfortable to watch, but worth it.
Excellent performances by all, although the August Boatwright character is a little too perfect to be believable. Especially strong performances by Sophie Okeonedo and Paul Bettany.
Beautiful art direction and photography.
This review of The Secret Life of Bees (2008) was written by Tom B on 15 Apr 2013.
The Secret Life of Bees has generally received positive reviews.
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