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.

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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.

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Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 22, 2020 3.5/4.0

A wonderful film for families.

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Kelly Jane Torrance Washington Times Dec 12, 2018 2.5/4

The mawkish possibilities inherent in the story are mostly averted, thanks to the high quality of acting.

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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.

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Dave White Movies.com Apr 4, 2011 4.5/5

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Joshua Starnes ComingSoon.net Apr 1, 2011 6.5/10

All the pieces are there for a good movie but there's an undeniable sense of reluctance to put them into play. Every time it seems like the film might be taking a chance it retreats to safe ground.

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Don Groves sbs.com.au Jan 3, 2011 3/5

A sweet, sentimental story with a sting in the tail.

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Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel 3BlackChicks Review Aug 3, 2009 5/5

Can I tell you a secret? This movie is *really* good. Grab Nana and go see it!

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Clay Cane BET.com Jul 6, 2009 B-

Bees is almost too sweet, but with enduring enough performances to make a solid movie.

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Enrique Buchichio Uruguay Total May 4, 2009 3/5

(...) Hay un mérito atendible en la directora y es evitar caer en la sensiblería barata que el asunto arriesgaba.

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Jason Di Rosso MovieTime, ABC Radio National Mar 6, 2009

The story is a gentle depiction of harsh times that works best as a coming-of-age parable, not so well as a historical drama.

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Pauline Adamek FILMINK (Australia) Mar 6, 2009

Once again, Dakota Fanning demonstrates that, even as a teenager, she already has the acting skills and range equal to -- if not better than -- her A-list contemporaries.

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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.

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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.

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Andrew L. Urban Urban Cinefile Feb 27, 2009

A dense story about a little girl and the impact her mother's death has on her makes terrific cinema in this beautifully realised film

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Louise Keller Urban Cinefile Feb 27, 2009

The film has a dream-like quality above its punchy emotional core

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Christian Toto Donne Tempo Jan 28, 2009 3/4

The Secret Life of Bees features another buzz-worthy turn by Dakota Fanning.

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Liz Moody Empire Magazine Dec 5, 2008 2/5

The source material remains affecting and the cast work hard to add dimension to a lacklustre screenplay. But sadly, it adds up to less than the sum of its parts.

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Wally Hammond Time Out Dec 5, 2008 3/6

There's a purity, clarity and honesty to this feminist heart-warmer's melodramatic instincts that make it surprisingly moving and satisfying.

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