Product Details

• Actors: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo
• Directors: Gina Prince-Bythewood
• Writers: Gina Prince-Bythewood, Sue Monk Kidd
• Producers: Aldric La'auli Porter, Ed Cathell III, Ewan Leslie, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Lassiter
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Surround), French (Dolby Surround), Spanish (Stereo)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: February 3, 2009
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (209 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001NLJ3NU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,556 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Secret Life of Bees" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Headed by an all-star cast of women, The Secret Life of Bees is the heartwarming and well-told story of a young girl who finds love and acceptance from a trio of independent sisters. The Secret Life of Bees is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Sue Monk Kidd and centers around the plight of 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning). Assuming the burden for her mother's premature death, she has a precarious relationship with her abusive father T. Ray (Paul Bettany). Lily's only friend is her caregiver Rosaleen (Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson). Set in South Carolina in 1964, when civil rights wasn't a given, Rosaleen's life is threatened by racists who'd just as soon see her dead than exercise her right to vote. Lily runs away with her to a town she believes may hold the secrets of her mother's life. There the pair meet the Boatwright sisters August (Queen Latifah), June (Alicia Keys) and May (Sophie Okonedo)--who produce the area's famous Black Madonna honey. They eventually provide Lily with the unconditional love she never felt she had and also show Rosaleen that being a black woman in the South doesn't mean she can't have a sense of worth. The Secret Life of Bees doesn't try to pass itself off as a historical documentation of race relations in the 1960s. But the fictional slice of life still resonates because of the feelings of injustice that it stirs up. Though the film is written to show the disparity between blacks and whites, there is always a strong sense of hope, thanks to the lead actresses who bring empathy and dignity to their roles. Hudson exhibits some of the same quiet grace that Regina Taylor brought to her role as the family housekeeper in the superb TV series I'll Fly Away. Latifah has the part of wise matriarch down pat, even when she's playing a sister rather than a mother. And it's clear that Fanning is making a seamless transition from kid to young adult roles. Whether she's giving an impassioned monologue or listening thoughtfully, Fanning brings nuance and intelligence to her role. --Jae-Ha Kim

Stills from The Secret Life of Bees (Click for larger image)

Product Description

Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning head a stellar ensemble cast in this 'wonderful film about family, independence and the transcendent power of love' (Minneapolis Star Tribune) based on the acclaimed best-selling novel. To escape her cruel, angry father - and discover the truth about her late mother's past - 14-year old Lily Owens flees with her caregiver and friend Rosaleen to a South Carolina town where she's taken in by the bee-keeping Boatwright sisters. Surrounded by the unexpected love, grace and spirituality she encounters there, Lily forms a bond with each of these uniquely gifted women and discovers that sometimes you must leave home in order to find it.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This one pulls at your heart strings January 2, 2009

By Leslie Bethany

Format:DVD

This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. I think I had tears in my eyes through 75% of the movie. This is Dakota Fanning's best performance. Jennifer Hudson was spectacular. Queen Latifah delivered like never before. Everyone was amazing in this film. Don't waste your time renting this one because it's one to own. You really connect with the characters and the issues at hand. This is a must see movie.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best movie of 2008!! January 2, 2009

By K. Conroy

Format:DVD

I thought this was the best movie of 2008! It was SO GOOD! Granted I had some movies that I went to and watched over and over again, this one I only watched once but once I watched it I knew it would be a timeless classic. Don't rent this movie! Just buy it! It's SO GOOD!

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars heatwarming January 17, 2009

By Daren N. Heaton

Format:DVD

Excellent movie. Almost perfect version of the book. I was expecting a PG though but still it's a great movie. For me one of the best movies of 2008.