The Secret Life of Bees

This movie is not for everyone. If you can make it past the first 20 minutes and the last 15 minutes, it is a delightful story. For those of us who did not grow up in the South East United States this is a stark, harsh, painful reminder of what life was life for a large portion of the population in the 50s, 60s and beyond.

If you are tough and stick it through the rough beginning, you are in for a delightful middle. I think this is at least a two-tissue-box movie. Laughter and crying are the staples and you go from one to the other rather quickly.

The characters are easy to relate to for some reason. I've very little in common with any of them and yet I totally enjoyed this story. It truly is a good story, very well told.

Dakota Fanning showed her colors here, and that is no pun. Queen Latifah continues to rise on my favorites list. For whatever reason I enjoy each of her performances than her last. Keep going girl. Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys also make passable efforts here, but nothing special from either.

How did Paul Bettany get this role? Were there no real redneck low-lifes available? Why did the Hollywood suits think it best to use a Brit to play a peach-growing-wife-beater from bassakwards Georgia? Maybe the same guys who figured Renee Zellweger could be a London hottie? Thought so.

Watch this movie with your Mom, your Sister, your Daughter, or your Wife.