This film is a treat for anyone who loved the novel The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd or anyone who enjoys a heart-felt story of goodness. The film is not artificial in sweetness, but as pure as the honey produced by the Boatwright’s bees. Everyone involved in The Secret Life of Bees worked to make it a tribute to strength and empowerment, tempered with wisdom and love.
When a favorite novel is turned into a film, one often fears the worst. There have been numbers of examples where a good story has been ruined by someone’s vision. In the case of The Secret Life of Bees this is not what happened. The film enhances the original story, expanding it and broadening the view for the audience.
The novel is Lily’s point of view, and in the film viewers have the chance to see the action from the outside as well, but still keeping Lily as the center. The structure makes the story richer and increases our understanding of the characters.
The beauty of The Secret Life of Bees is complicated, just as August Boatwright (Queen Latifah) describes her relationship with Lily’s mother Deborah. The times, the 1960’s and the place rural South Carolina add obstacles to the action that might not exist anywhere else or at any other time.
The characters endure, overcome and triumph against all types of complications and adversity. Lily (Dakota Fanning) seeks a mother or at least understanding about her mother and through her efforts accomplishes more that she ever expects. Her companion Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) begins the journey as an escape from her problems, but finds that she has gained a place where she can be and better herself.
The Boatwright sisters May (Sophie Okonedo) June (Alicia Keys) and August (Queen Latifah) are wise, and warm, idiosyncratic and good. They are like women in all our lives, people we know and love, friends, family and co-workers that contribute to the strength of endurance in adversity and understanding of our experiences.
The men in The Secret Life of Bees are important too. T. Ray Owens (Paul Bettany)is Lily’s father, another complicated character in her life. He means well, but is so overwhelmed by events that he makes Lily’s existence lonely. She has the necessities of life, but not love from her father.
Neil (Nate Parker) the teacher who works with June Boatwright and is desperately in love with her is strong but gentle, honest and intelligent. He is THE masculine representative in the Boatwright sister’s lives. He helps them and wants to be a part of the family by marrying June. Zach (Tristan Wilds) is August’s bee keeping helper. He is youthful when the film begins, full of dreams and hopes that become solidified into goals through the action.
The supporting cast members are equally important in showing how the world of the 1960’s had a brutal edge, and how islands of peace and goodness like the Boatwright farm were maintained.
The Secret Life of Bees is presented on single disc with the option of theatrical or director’s extended cut. Both are excellent. In addition there are 8 scenes that were deleted from the movie, and several featurettes, Adaptation: Bringing The Secret Life of Bees to the Big Screen, The Women and Men of The Secret Life of Bees, Inside The Pink House with Sue Monk Kidd, Life on the Set, The World Premiere and two commentaries.
One commentary is with Director/Screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Joe Pichiarallo, and actors Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah. The other is with Director Screewriter Gina Prince-Bythewood and Film Editor Terilny Shropshire.
Those who have seen the film will want to add it to their DVD collections and those who have not seen it are in for a wonderful experience of strength, courage, hope and love. I am giving it 5 stars, but I wish a higher rating existed, as this film is a masterpiece of acting skill, writing ability, and crew performance.
The Secret Life of Bees is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a March 30th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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