Really wanted to like the movie, but it was just insipid compared to the book. If you had not read the book perhaps you'd like it, but knowing the true story the movie version fails miserably.

As the story is based in great part within the head of Lily I knew it would be a challenge to portray, but as such the emphasis on other fine-points in the book had to be on the money. The casting for the most part was terrible, which does not reflect the actors or their talent, as they were given lines that were mealy. Probably the best cast, and best played was Sophie Okonedo who played May. Dakota Fanning cast as Lily was ok, and she had some strong moments.

Part of the problem was the set and how they took the concept of "cultured" too visually literal (what was up with all the all of the khakis and white shirts?); it seemed that Queen Latifah was made to float through the movie with a smile on her face rather than have the opportunity to draw out the depth of August Boatright. August's power was in her intellect, her wisdom, and the understanding and love of the human condition. There were also several areas that simply were not accurate (there was not a movie scene with Zach & Lily, this altercation happened on the street with some of Zach's peers).

Jennifer Hudson's script did not allow her to show the depth of Rosaleen. Rosaleen was feisty (should have shown the scene with her and T.Ray and the chick), and they should have let her actually have snuff in her lip and let her spit. Most of the time she is made to go through the movie looking vancant. T.Ray was not nearly as mean as he was in the movie, and though he did have a couple of almost human moments, he surely did not ever say "I love you," and you were supposed to be left wondering more strongly at the end if T.Ray let Lily go because down inside he did love her, or that his heart had hardened to such an extent that he truly had become mean-hearted and vile. Clearly Paul Bethany had the ability, but he too seemed to limited by the Director's need to sugar-coat the story.

I think the worst mistake was not explaining May's situation better. It did not explain that April committed suicide, or that she built up strong arm muscles carrying the rocks to the wailing wall (which would better connect you to the rock she placed on her own chest in the creek). They also blew it by a very simple omission; not allowing May to hum "oh Susanna" more clearly. (Another misrepresentation is that May found out about Zach on the phone not through personal contact with Zach's mom, this scene was powerful in the book, and limp in the movie).

So....sigh. Seriously bummed by the movie, but The Secret Life of Bee's will always be one of those books I reread occasionally (this was the third time prior to watching the movie). In the middle of "The Invention of Wings."

The Secret Life Of Bees was based upon a book of the same name. It centers around a young girl named Lily (Dakota Fanning). She accidentally killed her mother and has felt a hole in her soul since then. She decides to run away with her maid Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to get away from her domineering father. The two find a home with Ms August (Queen Latifah) and her two sisters June (Alicia Keys) and May (Sophie Okoned). Not only do they find love but freedom from the racist south as August and her sisters are independent and successful African American women in 1960s South Carolina.

The movie succeeds in telling the stories of the black women on their own without them being mediated through Lily who is white. Rosaleen ran away because she was beat and arrested for trying to register to vote. August runs a very successful honey business. June teaches music at a school and May carries the weight of the world on her shoulders after her twin sister died when she was young. As for Lily she’s looking for the story of her mother. It turns out there’s a connection with August and her sisters who become like her adopted family. That’s where love comes in. It heals Lily’s wound and provides August and her sisters respite from the racist America they live in.
C

Honestly after reading this book and then watching the movie, the movie was extremely disappointing. Changing major plots from the book to the movie making the movie those some major integrity right down to character choice, especially Rosaleen and Lily did not convey well at all. Really disappointed in what could have been a great movie.

I read the book years ago, and was such a fan. They did a phenomenal job turning this into a movie, and its rare to find that.
This movie encompasses some very deep and sad themes- childhood abuse and neglect, racism, poverty, a separated family- but its not too much to overwhelm you. The main actresses are all very strong in this movie, and portray love, acceptance and family as ways to overcome the sad and oppression.
Queen Latifah is the epitome of being an empowered, loving woman, and I wish she was my mother and sister. In fact, I wish these woman would just take me home and have me in their family. Its just beautiful, and I felt so hopeful about life after seeing this.
Please see this....and read the book too. You won't regret it!!

Love this movie! Interesting to see Dakota Fanning) be the only major Caucasian character. Superb casting and great performances all around! Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and unknown to me, Sophie Okonedo, who gives a memorable performance. I loved the plot as well. You can have all the great actors you want, but if the plot sucks so will the movie. This movie satisfies everything!

This movie will make you laugh, make you cry and make you fall in love with the great talent that made this movie. Set in the south back in the sixties, it has some scenes that are hard to watch but a wonderful story of love and acceptance. Very well cast movie with an overall great theme

I love this movie. I seen it years ago, and still love it. Love the characters they were awesome. I love the water fight scene, that scene was fun to watch. It was funny. There are a few scenes that left me tearing up. It is a heart-felt movie. Well made. Excellent movie. Love the actors and actresses, they portrayed their characters very well.

The writing failed the lovely cast miserably. The book is almost a whole different story. Why do people change books so drastically when they adapt them to film? Very disappointing. I will say that it's a pretty movie, visually warm and deep. The actress who plays May did an excellent job with that character. The music (unsurprisingly, given the cast) is very good. After that, boo, hiss.