I read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd when it came out in 2002, so I could remember the basic plot but not a lot of the details of the story. For me, this was probably a good thing, because I usually don’t like a movie after I’ve read the book because they got some details wrong.
Lily Owens is a teen-age girl, who is being raised without love by her father because her mother died when she was 4. Lily doesn’t remember her mother and she is searching for answers. For her birthday, all Lily wants is to know about her mother. Her housekeeper, Rosaleen is the only one who shows Lily love and when Rosaleen is beaten and arrested, Lily sneaks her out of the hospital and they hit the road. What they encounter is nothing short magical.
This movie is magnificent. All of the actors do wonderful jobs – the casting is perfect. The Secret Life of Bees would be a wonderful movie for mothers and teen-aged daughters to see together because it is about strong women and love. While there is nothing in the movie that young children couldn’t see, they wouldn’t understand many of the issues that are brought up. I often get fidgety in movies, but this one kept my attention from beginning to end. Make sure you take plenty of tissues with you to this one.
21 Comments
October 31, 2008 at 8:38 am
The minute you said bring plenty of tissue, I knew it wasn’t a movie for me. I know so many love the tear-jerkers…I can’t handle them. Feel the sadness all the way to my bones.
October 31, 2008 at 8:49 am
I’m glad you enjoyed this movie! I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m planning on it and then seeing the movie when it comes out on DVD.
October 31, 2008 at 9:49 am
I can’t wait to see this movie…I loved the book!
Thanks for posting your thoughts!
October 31, 2008 at 10:54 am
I definitely want to see this. Though I’m certain what I’ll be seeing instead is High School Musical 3!
October 31, 2008 at 10:54 am
I really liked this book, and I usually avoid movies of the books I like. (Still haven’t seen The Firm, don’t want to ruin the book!) I may have to see this one though.
October 31, 2008 at 11:51 am
I am a bawling idiot when it comes to tear-jerkiers. I try to be all cool and not sniffle or let on that I am crying. I wear glasses though so if the waterworks continue then eventually I have to take off the glasses and then the jig is up.
I cried during the preview of this movie. I still want to see it though.
October 31, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Thank you for reviewing this! I really want to see it. I read that book in 2006, I think. I loved it so much that I despised The Mermaid Chair because it was no where near as good. Maybe I’ll get a sitter and go to the movies tomorrow…
October 31, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I haven’t read this one in a while also, but will probably have to wait till the movie comes out on DVD. Thanks for the review!
October 31, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’m with J.Kaye. ‘Plenty of tissues’ scares me off. I haven’t read the book yet, so I’ll start with that.
October 31, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I can’t see the movie because I own the book but have not read it yet and if I see the movie it will ruin it for me. Maybe. Or maybe not.
But I hate to cry in public.
October 31, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I read the book years ago and I really want to see the movie. I can’t wait to see the movie but I’ll probably end up waiting for it on DVD before I actually get to the theatre these days.
November 1, 2008 at 12:34 am
I can’t even remember the book at all, but I’m sure I did read it. This is why I started doing LibraryThing!
November 1, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I love Queen Latifah, so this movie is a must-see for me. I haven’t read the book, but I did read “The Mermaid Chair” which seemed totally vapid. I think I’ll just go right to the movie with this one.
November 1, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Kathy, I’m glad you loved this movie! My friends and I plan to see it in the next few weeks. I’ll bring lots of tissue. Last time we watched a sad movie I didn’t do that and I was a MESS!!!
November 1, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I was glad that I hadn’t read the book in a long while too when I went to see this. I really liked it as well. Even my husband did, which surprised me. It definitely is a cry-worthy movie. I enjoyed reading your review, Kathy!
November 1, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I’m glad to hear this is a good movie as I’m really looking forward to seeing it! I loved the book, although like you I read it a while ago and can’t remember all the details.
By the way I’ve tagged you for a meme here.
November 2, 2008 at 9:27 am
Oh thanks for this review. I was so worried the movie wouldn’t do the book justice (as is usual). Now I won’t hesitate to get to the theater.
November 2, 2008 at 5:57 pm
oh goodie, I know I’ll love the movie. My local theatre isn’t showing. yet. I hope they will soon.
November 2, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I avoided movies from books in the past. Their treatment of the story was often egregious. But I made exceptions for some very few such as The Kite Runner and Remains of the Day. Glad to see film makers getting smarter. I loved this book and with those actresses I figured it couldn’t fail. Thanks for reviewing the movie. I will treat myself to it when it comes out on video.
November 3, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I read the book a long time ago as well, and I only vaguely remember what it was about. I do remember enjoying the book, and I’ve heard great things about the movie. Can’t wait to see it!
November 4, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I really liked this book. I can’t wait to see the movie – I’m glad you liked it