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THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES (PG-13)

Plot Summary: Three beekeeping sisters take in two fugitives and teach them about beekeeping and life.

Reason for the Rating: Thematic material and some violence.

Lily Owens’ (Dakota Fanning) first memory is that she accidentally killed her mother when she was 4. With her mom gone, she grew up with her cruel father, T-Ray (Paul Bettany), and their black housekeeper, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson).

Now it’s 1964, Lily is 14, and Lyndon B. Johnson has just signed the Civil Rights Act giving African Americans the right to vote. But as Rosaleen and Lily walk to town to register, they get in a scuffle with racist troublemakers, and Rosaleen gets beaten up and thrown in jail. Lily believes they’re going to kill her housekeeper in the jail, so she breaks Rosaleen out and they run away to the only place Lily can think of: Tiburon, South Carolina, a name her mother wrote down on the back of a picture before she died.

They follow clues that lead them to the home of the Boatwright sisters: August (Queen Latifah), May (Sophie Okenedo), and June (Alicia Keys), and they are welcomed into the “Pepto-Bismol” colored home. All three become like mothers to Lily, who has spent her whole life trying to fill the hole her mother left behind. August is the warm, wise, enveloping mother who can see deep into her soul. May is the tender, loving mother, who breaks when she sees those she loves in pain. June, at first haughty and hesitant to accept, is the fiercely loyal mother. They enchant and mystify Lily and Rosaleen, who are simply happy to be among them.

The three sisters have a church of sorts that meets in their home each Sunday, gathered around an old wooden statue of a black Mary. They pour their woes and their gratefulness onto her strong breast. Their church, which prompts Rosaleen to ask what kind of strange religion it is they practice, is developed much further in the book the movie is based on. A major theme of the book is the feminine divine that these women seem to worship. Perhaps wisely, the director downplays much of the spiritual themes present in the book. However, the fact remains that these women have adapted their own religion from the bones of Christianity to suit their own needs, a strong and powerful mother who unites and protects them.

Despite the questionable theological content of the movie, it is beautifully acted. Each woman delivers strong and believable characters. Queen Latifah is graceful as the wise mother, Okenedo is heartbreaking in her fragile empathy, and Fanning is a flawless 14-year-old. (Perhaps because she is 14.)

Many reviewers fear the movie drips too much with honey and sentimentality. I didn’t think so, but I did cry for about 45 minutes straight. The movie’s many heavy themes, such as racism, guilt, and the need for a parent’s love, create a fast-paced emotional ride. It teeters toward careening off its course, so heavily loaded with difficult themes it is, but the charm and talent of the ensemble cast keep it firmly on track.

FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:

The scenes of violence, kissing, and spirituality make this movie one that's not ideal for kids. But for a day out with girlfriends, or your teen daughter, this movie’s deep themes can lead to great conversation and are thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

AFTER THE SHOW:

• August painted their home a comic pink because it made May happy, saying, “some thing’s don’t matter that much.” Discuss this idea. Are there things that you sometimes put too high a priority on, that don’t really matter in the end?

• Have you ever had a friendship like these women seem to have, so loyal to one another?

• Why do you think these women are so drawn to the black Mary? Why is Lily drawn to her?

• What do you think it is that they find in this religion?

• Do you think they could find this in Christianity? If so, why do you think they haven’t?

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