REELGUY’S DVD XTRA: “The Secret Life of Bees” is a sweet and unforgettable film

Released recently on DVD, this touching and moving historical tale is about joy, pain, and finding oneself amidst the backdrop of the1960s South. Dakota Fanning (“Push”) continues to impress in the starring role but she has plenty of help carrying the film from several capable actresses. Both the beauty and ugliness of the South are portrayed in “The Secret Life of Bees” but the story is achingly personal for one young girl. Blaming herself for her mother’s death, she runs away and finds a home among a family of beekeepers. Taken in and treated with respect, the girl learns who she is and who her mother was. Reminiscent of the “Cider House Rules” in tempo and old world charm, these bees deserve your attention and respect.

Fanning is Lily Owens, a young girl who lost her mother at an early age. Lily lives with her stern, tight-lipped father T. Ray (an unrecognizable Paul Bettany; “The Da Vinci Code”) and her likeable but proud housekeeper Rosaleen (Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson; “Dreamgirls”). Rosaleen is involved in a race incident and Lily takes the opportunity to spring her from the authorities and run away. Their adventure eventually leads them to a group of sisters who raise bees and sell honey. These three strong black women each react to having Lily amongst them in different ways. August (Queen Latifah) is glad to lend a helping hand to someone in need, June (Alicia Keyes) is distrustful and wary of the newcomers, while May (Sophie Okonedo) lovingly embraces the two with her fragile heart.

Each main character in the film is enjoyable to watch as the viewer learns so much each one. Latifah becomes the motherly surrogate (but from a safe distance) in Lily’s life while Rosaleen continues to play the older sister/guardian role. While racism pervades the outlines of the story, the viewer and characters feel safe at the sisters’ farm. I was lulled into a comfortable trance with the bees and the women, never wanting the illusion of safety to end. Keyes and Okonedo take roles that could have been underwhelming and mere caricatures and breathe life into these women. Somehow Bettany manages to take an unlikable character and allow a hint of sympathy and remorse to steal in.

While “The Secret Life of Bees” contains a primarily female cast, the story bridges the gap across gender and race lines to encompass a broader audience. A beautiful tapestry is woven in this sweet and unforgettable film.

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some violence.