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The Secret Life of Bees

Play trailer Poster for The Secret Life of Bees PG-13,  2008,  1h 50m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 60% 139 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 100,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.
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Critics Consensus

The Secret Life of Bees has moments of charm, but is largely too maudlin and sticky-sweet.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 12, 2017
B-
The story was okay, but I think there was an underlying mammy factor that rubbed me the wrong way. Go to Full Review
Eddie Cockrell Sydney Morning Herald Mar 6, 2009
2/5
Glossy yet ultimately shallow, this platitudinous, unconvincing drama makes The Colour Purple look like Mississippi Burning. Go to Full Review
David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) Mar 6, 2009
2/5
On most levels the film, which has a surprising number of unconvincing details, takes the sugary option; it shies away from the harsher realities whenever possible. Go to Full Review
Stella Papamichael Radio Times Mar 16, 2024
3/5
Like the rank and file of bees, everyone has their place here and they work towards an end product that is sweet but best enjoyed by children. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 5, 2023
3/4
The Secret Life of Bees is a pleasant little film that reduces overwhelming ideas into light emotional drama. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 22, 2020
3.5/4.0
A wonderful film for families. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Finn W Oct 16, 2018 This is real Soul Food, nourishing, wise, teaching that love is imperfect but still essential to our survival. I loved the symbol of the archetypal mother providing an image of fearlessness, enduring support and love, that each character needed to draw upon to grow and change. See more
Rey R Aug 26, 2018 Very moving and sad. Well acted.
Draco P Apr 28, 2017 One of the best films ever. Tears and smiles throughout.
Finn W Mar 13, 2017 My response to the critics consensus is: maudlin compared to what? I've certainly seen much more emotionally and maudlin films. I would call it warm and sentimental--not a great film but a good one. See more
Kylo R Feb 6, 2017 It's good movie to watch
Abraham P Jan 18, 2017 Wow. Does much more need to be said? Many films can tackle the brunt of facing past racial actions but this film brings a type of sentimentality to it. Queen Latifah is amazing. In this role she is gentle yet fierce and she works well young Dakota Fanning, whose acting shows innocence and fight. A film worth a lot more than it's been given. See more
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Cast & Crew

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Gina Prince-Bythewood

Director

Queen Latifah

August Boatwright

Dakota Fanning

Lily Owens

Jennifer Hudson

Rosaleen

Alicia Keys

June Boatwright

Sophie Okonedo

May Boatwright

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The Secret Life of Bees

Paul Bettany as T-Ray Owens in "The Secret Life of Bees." Tristan Wilds as Zachary and Dakota Fanning as Lily in "The Secret Life of Bees." Queen Latifah as August, Jennifer Hudson as Rosaleen and Alicia Keys as June in "The Secret Life of Bees." Queen Latifah as August and Dakota Fanning as Lily in "The Secret Life of Bees." Dakota Fanning as Lily and Queen Latifah as August in "The Secret Life of Bees." Queen Latifah as August Boatwright, Sophie Okonedo as May Boatwright, Jennifer Hudson as Rosaleen, Alicia Keys as June Boatwright and Dakota Fanning as Lily Owens in "The Secret Life of Bees." Director Gina Prince-Bythewood (foreground) and author Sue Monk Kidd on the set of "The Secret Life of Bees." Nate Parker as Neil and Alicia Keys as June in "The Secret Life of Bees." Dakota Fanning (top) as Lily and Jennifer Hudson as Rosaleen in "The Secret Life of Bees." The Secret Life of Bees (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.
Director
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Producer
Lauren Shuler Donner, James Lassiter, Will Smith, Joe Pichirallo
Screenwriter
Gina Prince-Bythewood, Sue Monk Kidd
Distributor
Fox
Production Co
Donners' Company, Overbrook Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 17, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.8M
Runtime
1h 50m
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