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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

An all-star cast should prove to "Bee" better than average

The trailer for the film adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees was just released, and like the book, it looks like the kind of story that will stir the pants right off your soul.

The Secret Life of Bees follows Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) who — along with her stand-in mother, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) — escapes from her abusive father, and takes up with three beekeeping sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo) in a pink house in Tiburon, South Carolina.

Let me do that math for you: Queen Latifah, Oscar nominee; Sophie Okonedo, Oscar nominee; Jennifer Hudson, Oscar winner; Alicia Keys, rock-em-sock-em talent; Dakota Fanning, best child actress since Jodie Foster.

Also, look at little Dakota Fanning all grown up.

"I'm unlovable," cries Dakota Fanning at one point in the film, throwing a jar of honey against the wall.

"You listen to me now," answers Queen Latifah. "There's love all around you."

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think. Is it worth your 10 bucks, worth a place in the Netflix queue, or will this be another case of great casts gone awry? My vote is for the first choice — I like my movies with a little side of sap.

  • StuntDouble's blog
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  • Ladyhawk1709's picture

    I think Queen Latifa is all

    I think Queen Latifa is all wrong for August. Other then that I don't think I have any complaints... Except that maybe the cast is a bit too young to pull off the story (in the book they're older)
    Robby's picture

    Actresses in The Secret Life of Bees

    I must agree with you in  saying that I believe the actresses (women) are amazingly young for the roles.  This makes the story, for me, unbelievable.  They are talented women, but I think they were chosen for their roles because they are known and will draw the crowds.  Too bad good, talented actresses (fame does NOT come before talent) were not chosen to perform these roles.
    fee's picture

    Secret Life of Bees

    I really want to see that movie. Everything looks just so good and interesting and inspiring. But maybe I should read the book first?

    Dakota Fanning is amazing, I think she's such a good actress. And kudos for pulling off a Southern accent like that!

    "Bad juju? Is that a voodoo-thing?"
    "Close...but with a 'j'." 
    - Malinda Lo & Sarah Pecora, 'the Lo-down'
    debjordan's picture

    Read it

    The book is outstanding.
    Robby's picture

    Book is great!

    I read the book along with a few of my neighbors, it has been passed along the line.  It is definitely a must read again book.
    SunriseShadow's picture

    Sounds all right

    It actually sounds pretty cool to me :) I'm not the biggest Dakota fan in the world, but she's a good actress, as are the others, so it won't be the acting that could dissapoint ;) And a story that involves honey? Now, what could be bad about that?? So I'll go see it :)

    We don't need sleep to be dreamers

    Fruxie's picture

    I read the book, and it was

    I read the book, and it was pretty good. Queen Latifa annoys the hell out of me, because she always acts all condescending and superior. It's alright when it fits the role, like in Hairspray, but she might piss me off in this movie.

    I'll probably see it. I'm not one for sap, but the trailer looks pretty good.

    Lynn's picture

    Good Stories...

    I am getting ready to read the book. I watched the trailer and it looks very, very promising. I love a good story told on the big screen. I hope this will be one of those works!

    All the actresses have the capability of making this a standout film, so I hope the director has allowed them to develop characters that will be etched in our mind long after the 2 hours are over.

    I am looking forward to October when this is released and maybe StuntDouble will do a follow up with her impressions, as well.

    ice cream's picture

    Secret Life of Bees

    This is one of my favorite books.  The only thing is they all seem a little young for there part bc I remember them being older but I'm still def. going to see this.
    Elle Girl's picture

    Hopeful

    This is one of my most favorite books. I have read it multiple times (which I never do, because I can't stand repetition of stories to which I already know the ending) and I cannot wait for the movie to debut. With a cast like this I would hope that the writing and direction is strong enough to carry off this beautiful story. I think Dakota Fanning is the perfect choice for Lily, and hopefully Queen Latifah will do August justice. She is one of my favorite literary characters, and I think this role will give Latifah the chance to broaden her acting portfolio. I have been waiting for this movie for a long time, so no matter what I am going to see it, I just hope it's worth the time and outrageous price movie studios find it appropriate to charge.

    "It might make Elizabeth Hasselbeck cry, but we're gonna do it."

    tucksioni's picture

    What a fantastically fine cast!

    The trailer has made me want to read the book and rush to the cinema as soon as the film comes out.

    I wonder if the cast will be featured on the soundtrack? 

    Oh and Ms Keys-will you marry me? 

     

    Paperback-Writer's picture

    Wow, looks pretty good. I'm

    Wow, looks pretty good. I'm not sure if I will watch it at the movies but I will definitely want to see it on DVD.

    Call me crazy, but doesn't Dakota look pretty.....hot? *hides in shame* Hm, I am 16, which is like a two year difference, but still, odd. I am young enough to say Emma Watson is total dame! I am younger than her, so it's fine.

    I'm glad that Dakota is popping back up. I haven't heard anything about her since Hide and Seek.

    I like Queen Latifah, even though a lot of her characters have been comedic. And I haven't seen Jennifer Hudson or Alicia Keyes in a movie, so I can't say anything about them (oh wait, yes I can. Alicia, you are a stone cold fox!)

    Pop Stalin's picture

    I'm not a movie critic but I play one in my imagination

    I like Queen Latifah, even though a lot of her characters have been comedic. And I haven't seen Jennifer Hudson or Alicia Keyes in a movie, so I can't say anything about them (oh wait, yes I can. Alicia, you are a stone cold fox!)

    Queen Latifah was excellent in 'Set it Off' where she plays a butch bank robber. I haven't read the book but I think she has the chops to do just about anything.

    Jennifer Hudson was fabulous in Dreamgirls so I'm sure you'll get a great performance from her as well. 

    I haven't heard good things about Keyes roll in Be Cool but that's just word of mouth.

    It sounds like an interesting movie and even better book. Both will be on my wish lists.

    shadowboxer's picture

    Bees

    I absolutely loved this book -- just beautiful.  Kidd's follow-up -- The Mermaid Chair -- was also good, but I don't think it matched Bees.