2008 Woodie Awards
Graceful, emotional performances make up for slow-moving plot
Amanda Kaufman
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 11/13/08 at 6:15 PM EST
Last update: 11/13/08 at 6:12 PM EST
Lilly Owens wanted only to be loved by her mother - more than anything in the world. However, at the age of four she had accidentally shot her mother to death with a gun that was dropped while her parents were fighting.
It was just something that she had to live with.
"The Secret Life of Bees" follows Lilly (Dakota Fanning) as she desperately tries to find a place where she can live and be loved after running away with Rosaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson), a black woman who was hired help on her abusive father's farm during the early 1960s. Lilly ran from her father, who habitually beat her; Rosaleen ran from a hospital after being beaten by a white man, where she would then have been sent to prison for angering him.
The actors' graceful performances highlighted the strong presence and emotion of the characters.
Queen Latifah, who played the role of August Boatwright, became an instantly powerful figure with a tender heart and more kindness than what was observed on the surface.
August - who took Lilly and Rosaleen into her home and put them to work on her honey farm - was an intelligent character whose eyes hinted that she knew more about the situation than she cared to share.
The story lasts until everything is resolved, no strings hanging, with a satisfying ending. Getting to that point is fun, emotional - and entertaining - never dragging on without important scenes.
A basic coming-of-age story at its core, "The Secret Life of Bees" flows smoothly in all the traditional ways.
While a little more tension and drama could have been added at certain points, it was not needed to keep the movie endearing.
The focus was not on anything clever or on some dark plot twist that would stir things up, only on the characters going about their everyday lives, which was simple enough to please.
For those looking for a fast-paced heavily drama-enforced story, there may be disappointment. The story lingers casually, with a moderate pace and few high-tension scenes which complement the tale.
"The Secret Life of Bees" is easily enjoyable, through slow, and while the plot may not be breathtaking, it is definitely enjoyable for a general audience.
It was just something that she had to live with.
"The Secret Life of Bees" follows Lilly (Dakota Fanning) as she desperately tries to find a place where she can live and be loved after running away with Rosaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson), a black woman who was hired help on her abusive father's farm during the early 1960s. Lilly ran from her father, who habitually beat her; Rosaleen ran from a hospital after being beaten by a white man, where she would then have been sent to prison for angering him.
The actors' graceful performances highlighted the strong presence and emotion of the characters.
Queen Latifah, who played the role of August Boatwright, became an instantly powerful figure with a tender heart and more kindness than what was observed on the surface.
August - who took Lilly and Rosaleen into her home and put them to work on her honey farm - was an intelligent character whose eyes hinted that she knew more about the situation than she cared to share.
The story lasts until everything is resolved, no strings hanging, with a satisfying ending. Getting to that point is fun, emotional - and entertaining - never dragging on without important scenes.
A basic coming-of-age story at its core, "The Secret Life of Bees" flows smoothly in all the traditional ways.
While a little more tension and drama could have been added at certain points, it was not needed to keep the movie endearing.
The focus was not on anything clever or on some dark plot twist that would stir things up, only on the characters going about their everyday lives, which was simple enough to please.
For those looking for a fast-paced heavily drama-enforced story, there may be disappointment. The story lingers casually, with a moderate pace and few high-tension scenes which complement the tale.
"The Secret Life of Bees" is easily enjoyable, through slow, and while the plot may not be breathtaking, it is definitely enjoyable for a general audience.
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