2008, USA
Drama, Romance
The year is 1964, the Civil Rights Act has theoretically just gone into effect, and yet trouble seems to follow a young white girl who sees no boundaries. Dakota Fanning stars as the southern girl who gathers hurricane storm clouds in The Secret Life of Bees.
The film is based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd and adapted by Gina Prince-Bythewood in her directorial follow up to 2000's Love & Basketball. As Fanning's Lily Owens tries to find a connection to the mother she accidentally murdered, she pulls herself away from the father from whom she receives little love. And yet this character, played by Paul Bettany, achieves sympathy beyond his drunken and misguided behavior to a fragile confusion that resulted from the aforementioned murder. His actions are not justified, but he is broken rather than wholly unforgivable.
Jennifer Hudson makes a solid if narrow follow up to Dreamgirls and her light role in Sex and the City as Lily's caretaker, who is dragged on an adventure to find Lily's roots. Dishing quips and throwing away lines at her leisure, Hudson provides the sass to balance Fanning's heavy concerns. Using a city name and picture of a black Madonna as her only clues, the two find themselves in Tiburon, South Carolina at the home of the so-called Calendar Sisters.
Though the story hinges on race, it is grounded by strong women. Calendar sister number one is August Boatwright, played with restrained might by Queen Latifah. As the eldest beekeeper in their honey-making paradise, she guides her household with a gentle touch but always in the right direction. Alicia Keys is all fierce passion as June, the sister who cannot be contained nor engaged by her doting but increasingly impatient boyfriend. With the three songstresses previously mentioned, it is telling that Prince-Bythewood restrained from making them break into a giant movie-smothering song, but she does hold back and allows them to sing in such a way that does not overpower their acting.
Though this film is more of an ensemble piece than a star vehicle, Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) stands out as May, the sister a bit touched in the head. With siblings who represent intelligence and independence, May gathers pure emotion. Absorbing the happiness or grief that surrounds her, Lily's troubles do not invite welcome sensations to May's environment. With the racial injustices that permeate the country and the accusations which follow a white girl living with four black women, May cannot help but be burdened by the weight of the ignorance that surrounds them. Her use of a wailing wall to physically release her prayers hints at her delicate balance to process everything.
The lesson of the bees reveals the complex relationships that buzz below a seemingly happy hive. Everyone has a role but also a desire to follow her own path. When a hive is disturbed by a new order, there can be revolt. In an era attempting to find equilibrium, Lily searches for peace but inadvertently draws suffering. Reaching across invisible borders, she constantly feels like an outsider to both sides. Yet The Secret Life of Bees considers a world of imperfect love, of nearly fulfilled desires with hefty obstacles. It is better to draw flies with honey, only to smother them with love and acceptance.