The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

  • 58% of critics liked it
    (135 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (109,062 ratings)

Gina Prince-Bythewood's adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's novel The Secret Life of Bees stars Dakota Fanning as Lily, a 14-year-old growing up in a small Southern town in 1964. She is haunted by memories of shooting her mother when she was a young girl. Lily lives with her emotionally distant father,… More

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PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Written By
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
Oct 17, 2008 Wide
On DVD
Feb 3, 2009
Fox Searchlight

Critic Reviews

  • Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

    The filmmakers give Latifah and Fanning room to create characters that breathe in the sweet smell of clover and breathe out the contented sigh of independence.

  • Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune

    Sweat and good intentions, however, will take you only so far. And they take Bees right up to the threshold of entertaining%u2014but not one step further.

  • Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

    The honey runs thick in The Secret Life of Bees, and so does the treacle.

  • Dana Stevens, Slate

    It's hard to roll your eyes when they're full of tears.

  • Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

    The film is full of sweet, subtle touches.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jennifer X


    Complete and utter feel good Oprah trash.

  • Nicki M


    Good movie, sad, but not totally depressing. The whole cast are excellent, particularly Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah. I am not sure I would have wanted to go to the movies and see this one, but as a DVD movie, no complaints.

  • Dean M


    Dakota Fanning becomes teenage in this drama movie and delivers a remarkable performance... and what feels like the first where her screaming skills aren't overused. She strikes me as a young Jodie Foster... one who has just transitioned from child actor to real actress. I… More

  • Fernando Rafael Q


    In the hands of a more talented writer/director, "The Secret Life of Bees" could've been another "The Color Purple"; instead, it's a cheesy, forgettable movie. Watch solely to witness the awesomeness of Dakota Fanning's mature performance, as well… More

  • Bruce B


    So Far the very Best film in 2009 that I have seen. Can't pick the best actor in this one. Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo should of all gotten awards for there acting in this one. A 1000 other people will review this film, bottom line… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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