Secret Life Of Bees

As I sit here trying to write my simple opinion of this film based on Sue Monk Kidd's critically acclaimed novel of the same title, I realize how limited my personal vocabulary has become. Words such as amazing, powerful, beautiful just seem trite in trying to provide an accurate description of this film.

Set in rural South Carolina in 1964, the film has a simple plot with many threads running throughout. Dakota Fanning plays the young Lily who has lived the majority of her 14 years in the loveless world of her abusive father on their family's peach farm. After a fight between her and her father, Lily runs away taking her nanny Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) with her. Lily and Rosaleen find refuge in the home of the Boatwright sisters of Tiburon, South Carolina. These sisters, all named for months of spring and summer, are very unique for this small southern segregated town of the 1960's. August Boatwright (Queen Latifa), being the oldest sister and the family's matriarch, is a wise business woman and expert beekeeper. Miss August takes Lily under her wing teaching her about bees and life, usually at the same time.

Lily and her close association with people of color, during a time it was unacceptable for girl to do so, causes a problem or two for Lily and those whom she cares for the most. It is during these scenes I realized how far our country has come and how far we have yet to go.

There are many social and life lessons for all of us to learn from this very simple very beautiful story. Be certain to bring your tissues, they may be necessary.

Queen Latifa is beautiful and full of grace in her role of Miss August Boatwright. Alicia Keys shows off her musical talent as the music teacher May Boatwright (she learned to play the cello exclusively for this movie); she also demonstrates her exceptional acting ability. Sophie Okonedo portrays the slightly "off" sister May, only one word is able to describe her - extraordinary! Dakota Fanning, who was the sweet and adorable little girl in I Am Sam, has grown into a brilliant young woman whose talent has grown and blossomed as she has.

I certainly hope this film is considered for an Oscar when the time arrives.