The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

My Review

“The Secret Life of Bees” is a drama film about a 14-year-old girl who flees from her abusive father with the family maid to live with the latter’s family in another town. Director-screenwriter Gina Prince-Blythewood put together a charming coming-of-age story with good writing, quality production values, fine character development, and good pacing in a 110 minute running time. It was adapted from the 2002 novel of the same name by Sue Monk Kidd.

The cast includes Dakota Fanning as the fleeing teenager, Jennifer Hudson as the maid, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo as her sisters, Paul Bettany and Hillary Burton as Fanning’s parents, as well as Tristan Wilds, Nate Parker, Shondrella Avery, and Emily Alyn Lind. The very watchable “The Secret Life of Bees” was popular at the box office for producers Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, Overbrook Entertainment, The Donner’s Company, and Fox Searchlight Pictures.