I loved this book so was excited to see that the movie was being made with this cast. They did a great job turning the book into a movie. The acting was good. I cried and cheered. Dakota Fanning was truly phenomenal. The only thing holding me back from giving this a "Must Go" was Queen Latifa. I LOVE her, normally. But the character she plays, Miss August, is a strong woman who has been through a lot - is very loving, but has a hurt in her too. Latifa played the part with a constant smile. Even the most important lines in the film, regarding the secret life of bees, was nearly thrown away, the way she played it - it just didn't come through right. I don't know how else to say it other than there was a depth to Miss August in the book that was completely missing in this movie, and that depth would have made this an outstanding, all-around Oscar winning movie that I'd buy and watch over and over again. Without that depth in her performance, it was just a good movie

I took my 11 yr old daughter & her friend to see this. Neither are girlie types ~ they were both transfixed by the story. I hadn't read the book, so I didn't know what to expect. We all laughed and cried, and I was quite surprised that they loved it as much as they did... I loved it too... the acting was superb. Sophie Okonedo was so amazing as an emotionally damaged woman, I will be shocked if she doesn't get an Oscar nod for best supporting actress. Having lived around many different types of mental illness, I know what I'm talking about... I was surprised that I had the only kids in the theater! It's a perfect way to help youth to understand, in a rather milder version of reality, the history of prejudice in some parts of our country. It is a good way to have serious conversations with your children about the ugliness of prejudice and the importance of love. Don't waste the opportunity, take your kids and talk to them about it. You'll be glad you did.

Our book club read this book and went to see the movie. I think reading the book helped to connect the dots, but the movie is solid in its own right. The acting was believable and allowed you to put yourself in the time frame, How timely to have a movie with a sub-plot regarding the civil rights movement to allow African Americans to vote. It just reminded me how far we have come to actually have an African American running for president. This is a heartwarming movie about a young girl finding her voice, sisterly love, strength, and hope. My hat is off to the author, the actors, and the director! Go see this movie and take a friend!

I attended the advance press screening of this 1hr and 50 mins movie by director/screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood. Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, and Paul Bettany were EXCELLENT - despite their flat under-developed characters. Ms. Gina could have fleshed-out the major characters instead of being fixated with the story/plot - thereby missing opportunities to explore deeper the potentials inherent in the spiritual/religious theme (the mother figure - Black Madonna and Child) as well as the bees symbolism. Other themes in this movie were feminism/sisterhood, empowerment, racism/civil rights, loneliness and the search for personal identity. This movie would have benefited from a more experienced director/screen-writer who knows how to set the mood. Cinematography, editing, and production values were mediocre. Verdict: Recommended. This movie should get a strong buzz among art-house/indie-movies fan and fans of the stars.

An extremely nuanced movie weaving a tale of a white girls's sturuggles with the truth of her acceptance in her family with the history of African-Americans' changing acceptance in 1964 America. Brilliant all around. Dakota Fanning is outstanding.