Entertainment To Me!

Last night I just watched the 2008 movie adaptation of the novel The Secret Life of Bees . I must read the novel of this story, now, and see how well the movie matched up with the book.

The Secret Life of Bees stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo. It takes place in S.C. in 1964, and centers around a young girl, Lily–wonderfully played by Dakota–who is struggling with crushed and cofused memories of her mother, and who is living with her good-for-nothing dad, who treats her less than lovingly. Her father always told her her Mother was a loser who left her, and takes very little  notice of the girl, except to berate and punish her. So one day, after witnessing her friend Rosaleen–played by Hudson–getting beaten by some white trash, she decides to go seek info on her Mom in a town in S.Carolina. She carries a picture of a black Virgin Mary, which her Mother left her, and which carries the name of the town on the back in S.C. that she heads to.

So Lily and Rosaleen take to the road, eventually ending up at a pink house in S.C., which is the home of May, June, and August Boatwright–played respectively by Sophie, Alicia, and Queen Latifah, who is awesome, heh. Queen L. is a master honey gatherer, and owns hives (hence the bee theme). She makes the best honey in town, and on each bottle is a picture of the black Virgin Mother, the same as Lily’s Mom carried with her.

Lily and Rosaleen stay with August and her sisters, bonding with them, learning from them, suffering with them, as tragedy strikes. Lily is convinced she is unlovable, and it’s all her fault. But things aren’t always what they seem.

The end of the movie is touching and great, and the story is wound together well, with all of the lead actresses shining, while not out-shining each other. I thought Alicia Keys did a great job, and I think Dakota Fanning is one of the most amazing actresses out there today, even running against the older gals. She has a great skill for one her age, and can play just about any part, I’m sure!

The Secret Life of Bees is a great movie to watch with gal pals, without being a “chick flick” type. It’s drama, but not gushy, or overdramatic. The underlaying theme of the times (blacks were just getting to vote, and still were segregated in the South like crazy-glue) is tastefully, yet powerfully done.

The movie also has a great theme about friendship and family, and even about the Blessed Mother (which, as a Catholic, I appreciated!).

I thought The Secret Life of Bees was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a LONG time, and certainly of 2008.