The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. Starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Paul Bettany, Sophie Okonedo, Tristan Wilds, Nate Parker, Hilarie Burton. [PG-13]

Coming of age fable set in 1960s South Carolina where white teen Fanning runs away from home with hired help Hudson and ends up working for room and board with beekeeper Latifah where she comes to terms with her tragic past. Adaptation of the same-named Sue Monk Kidd book has its heart in the right place, but the lessons are obvious enough to border on the redundant. Suffers from too many treacly story turns, unfocused storytelling that bites off more than it can chew, and dialogue that goes for effect rather than truth. The conviction of the actors rescues it to a certain degree, but no matter how hard the movie tries to generate warmth and good feelings, it barely passes muster because of sheer familiarity. Even those who find the saccharine taste of this “honey” to their liking may have a hard time swallowing a late revelation that reaches into the past for an unexpected connection. Will Smith co-produced, while wife Jada executive produced.

52/100