Review of The Secret Life of Bees (2008) by Joy B — 28 Jun 2009

Great cast and great film! love & basketball's gina prince-bythewood adapts this novel into a screenplay and directs a film she should be proud of. jada pinkett smith is the executive producer.

this is a period piece that takes place in 1964, when lyndon johnson signed the civil rights act, and the racial tension is depicted masterfully. dakota fanning was pitch-perfect in her portrayal of a girl her age (14) that killed her mom at the tender age of 4 and runs away to find out more about her mom and escape her dad with oscar winner jennifer hudson to tiburon, SC, where she meets keys and oscar nominees queen latifah and nigerian/european/jewish sophie okonedo (hotel rwanda).

every time sophie's character cried (which she seems to do effortlessly on cue), I felt for her. alicia keys holds her own just as she did in smokin' aces. it took a minute before I recognized paul bettany (a beautiful mind), he was so convincing as a SC vet.

this film surprised me in that I didn't expect to be moved to tears! I haven't read the book, but now I may have to after watching this.