The Secret Life of Bees [Blu-ray] | ![The Secret Life of Bees [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qVYkCMIuL._SL500_.jpg) | Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Actors: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.99
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Seller: graywhale_entertainment
Rating:  123 reviews
Sales Rank: 10887
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: FOXBR2257588
UPC: 024543575887
EAN: 0024543575887
ASIN: B001NLJ3N0
Theatrical Release Date: February 3, 2008
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 3-FEB-2009
Media Type: Blu-Ray
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
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 123
 Great Movie February 6, 2010
J. Ross-Shaw (Chicago, IL United States)
The novel is great. This movie did a great job at sticking very close to the details in the novel.
coming of age story January 31, 2010
D Hoffie (Roanoke VA)
The Secret Life of Bees is Sue Monk Kidd's wonderful coming of age story that has been brought to life in a movie of the same name. It has a cast of talented actresses and a director who handled sensitive topics and situations with insight and wisdom.
 A good film, with superb acting January 12, 2010
Jem (MD, USA)
When I saw this film advertised, I wanted to see it because I like all the actresses. However, I didn't think it was a "theatre" movie. So I waited for DVD thinking the film would not be improved by seeing it on the big screen, which was the case. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more for being able to curl up on my sofa with it like I would with a good book. I will watch it again, so it's worth owning. Another plus, despite it being only a single disc edition, it has pretty good extras on it! There are featurettes on: behind the scenes, character studies, a tour of the set with the book author and more. They are all worth watching, unlike so many extras that are thrown on so they can say there are extras (trailers!? please.)
I have not read the book. But, after seeing the movie I now want to read it - which says a lot about how good it was. I love Queen Latifah, and she is known for good comedy roles, but I was struck by just how strong an actress she is. This role required subtle acting and she delivered. Often films set in this time period are mired in sadness and violence. This film shows the ugly part of racism, but doesn't dwell on it. The emphasis is more heartwarming. That's not to say it won't have you in tears at certain moments, for tragic reasons and for happy. Sometimes, the film goes over-the-top in pulling at heart strings and can be a bit over sentimental. However, I can forgive that since this isn't a popcorn movie. It's the story of one girl, and the women who come to shape her life. I considered giving it five stars, but realized that even though I liked it, it just wasn't up to the standard of films like The Color Purple. As an adaptation, TCP was stunning and the scale was nearly epic in the telling.
It's almost ironic that all three of the main actresses are first and foremost known as singers, yet each delivered an excellent performance that made me believe they were the character. Jennifer Hudson should consider dropping the music and concentrating on film - I'd certainly like to see more of her. Overall, I found the movie to be very good (but not outstanding) and the acting to be truly stellar. Recommended.
touching film December 31, 2009
B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania)
The Secret Life of Bees is a movie that has a ton of really talented actresses portraying southern women during the mid 60's. Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah... you should know these names pretty well by now.
Anyway, the story is about four older women experiencing life during the cival rights period. One afternoon they hear a knock on their door, and take in a little white girl.
The girl brings along the woman who's been taking care of the white persons family. Both the girl and the woman are looking for a place to stay because the house they came from previously holds nothing but horrible nightmares and abusive and violent memories that are bettet left forgotten.
Dakota Fanning shows how much talent she has at such a young age. The way she handles the situations with her troubled and abusive father are just award-winning and amazing.
Throughout the film, you will feel compassion, sadness, joy, determination... all kinds of emotions involving the women living in a house somewhere in the south (I believe South Carolina) and trying their best to get through life and through all the troubles they are forced to encounter.
This is one of those films that will probably touch you in a deep way. The kind of movie that will allow you to appreciate all the good things in life.
I highly recommend it.
Warm, heartfelt drama. December 30, 2009
S. Spears (Florence, MA)
The Secret Life Of Bees, is a marvelous new drama. It's focus is 13-year-old Lily Owens (played with a deft emotional range, by Dakota Fanning). The film takes place in 1964 in the southern US, during the birth of the civil rights movement.
Lily is haunted by the fact that she accidentally shot her mother, when playing with a pistol as a toddler. She also develops a strange affinity for bees, which is bewildering to her. Lily's violent father is abusive towards her. The Owen's black housekeeper Rosaleen, is a mother figure and confidante to Lily.
One day, Lily goes to town with Rosaleen, when Rosaleen plans on registering to vote. Racist white men confront them, taunting Rosaleen. When Rosaleen refuses to tolerate their behavior, the men give her a vicious beating. The police soon intervene. Rosaleen is arrested, and held in custody at the medical ward of the local jail.
Outraged at what happened to Rosaleen, Lily goes to the jail and frees Rosaleen, before the guards find out. Lily and Rosaleen then hit the road, leaving Lily's brutal father far behind. The two come upon a store in a small town, which stocks jars of honey. Intrigued with the unusual labeling on the honey jars, Lily asks the clerk where the honey comes from. She's told that the Boatwright sisters make the honey.
Lily then asks the clerk, where they can find the Boatwright sisters. And she's told that they reside in a huge, 'bright pink' house, a 'ways up the road'. So, Lily feels strangely compelled to find the Boatwrights, for reasons that she doesn't quite understand.
After traveling a long way, Lily and Rosaleen spot a bright pink house, in a remote area. Tired, hungry and needing shelter, they knock on the door of this house. The three women who answer introduce themselves as the Boatwright sisters, named May, June, and August.
At first, the Boatwrights are reluctant to take in Lily and Rosaleen. They relent, when they realize that the two have no where else to turn. August, the eldest sister, lets Lily become their beekeeping apprentice. Rosaleen is allowed to stay on as the Boatwright's housekeeper. While living with the Boatwrights, Lily unravels the mysteries of her dead mother. Much to her astonishment, Lily discovers how the Boatwrights are deeply involved in her mother's past.
Above all, this film celebrates love, and its power to transform human lives in amazing ways. The brilliant performances by the female leads, make this movie the gem that it truly is. Films with strong, positive women in leading roles, are still not as common as they should be. The Secret Life Of Bees, is a powerful film that's heartrending, uplifting, and a definite must-see.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 123
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