The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:134
Fresh:78
Rotten:56
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: The Secret Life of Bees has moments of charm, but is largely too maudlin and sticky-sweet.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Mar 5, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $37,665,012
Synopsis: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, based on the New York Times best selling novel and set in South Carolina in 1964, is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory... [More]
Starring: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Reviews for The Secret Life of Bees
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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Once again, Dakota Fanning demonstrates that, even as a teenager, she already has the acting skills and range equal to -- if not better than -- her A-list contemporaries. Full Review |
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 2/5 |
Glossy yet ultimately shallow, this platitudinous, unconvincing drama makes The Colour Purple look like Mississippi Burning. Full Review |
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2/5 |
On most levels the film, which has a surprising number of unconvincing details, takes the sugary option; it shies away from the harsher realities whenever possible. Full Review |
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A dense story about a little girl and the impact her mother's death has on her makes terrific cinema in this beautifully realised film Full Review |
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The film has a dream-like quality above its punchy emotional core Full Review |
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5/5 |
Can I tell you a secret? This movie is *really* good. Grab Nana and go see it! Full Review |
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B- |
Bees is almost too sweet, but with enduring enough performances to make a solid movie. Full Review |
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3/5 |
(...) Hay un mérito atendible en la directora y es evitar caer en la sensiblería barata que el asunto arriesgaba. Full Review |
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The story is a gentle depiction of harsh times that works best as a coming-of-age parable, not so well as a historical drama. Full Review |
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3/4 |
The Secret Life of Bees features another buzz-worthy turn by Dakota Fanning. Full Review |
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2/5 |
The source material remains affecting and the cast work hard to add dimension to a lacklustre screenplay. But sadly, it adds up to less than the sum of its parts. Full Review |
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3/6 |
There’s a purity, clarity and honesty to this feminist heart-warmer’s melodramatic instincts that make it surprisingly moving and satisfying. Full Review |
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2.5/5 |
Fanning and Latifah form the proficient core of this reliable if humdrum American period drama. Full Review |
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1/5 |
Tragedies strike and life lessons are learnt, homespun wisdom is dispensed. It’s simplistic to the point of total idiocy. Full Review |
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2/5 |
This fairytale of the civil rights era is all honey and no sting. Full Review |
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2/5 |
It's generous-minded, and though it labours awkwardly to move you, that doesn't mean you won't be moved. Full Review |
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2/5 |
From the producer of X-Men… comes the dullest, gooiest chick-flick of the year. Full Review |
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2/5 |
It’ll be way too cloying for most – but the, ahem, bee’s knees for sugar fiends. Probably best enjoyed with a glass of Chardonnay and your cynicism on hold. Full Review |
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2/5 |
The whole thing is coated in a golden hue, as though the lens has been dunked in syrup. Males - or females with a horror of smug, sugary sentiment - should run a mile. Full Review |
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3/5 |
Idyllic tale despite the back story of racial tension and family abuse. Fanning holds her own in a great cast with Okonedo and Paul Bettany as an unbalanced father in fine form. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for The Secret Life of Bees
January 08, 2009:
Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics' Choice Winners
The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were given on January 8, 2009, to honor the finest achievements in 2008 filmmaking. A list of nominees follows below, with winners in bold: More...
January 08, 2009:
Dark Knight Sweeps People's Choice Awards 
"The Dark Knight" cleaned up at the 35th annual People's Choice Awards, taking home hardware for favorite movie, action movie, cast, superhero, and onscreen matchup. More...
December 05, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Writers Warm to Madagascar 2; UK Critics Liked Lakeview Terrace
With thirteen new releases in the UK cinemas this weekend, let Rotten Tomatoes help you sort the tinsel from the turkeys. We have animals on the loose in Madagascar: Escape 2... More...
December 05, 2008:
Female Directors Challenge Status Quo
Hollywood directors have always been a bit of a boys' club, but as the $70 million opening of Catherine Hardwicke's "Twilight" attests, that's slowly changing. More...
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