Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees tells an incredibly brave and daring story of a 14-year-old Lily who flees from her home to find solace and sanctuary in the home of another family miles and miles away. The story – set to motion picture by Director Gina Prince-Bythewood - features a stunning cast and a very warm setting.
Set in 1964, Lily (played by Dakota Fanning) longs to know more about her dead mother and relies solely on only a few of her mother’s possessions since her father refuses to indulge her curiosity. Among these belongings was a picture of a Black Madonna with an inscription that said, “Tiburon SC.” This picture led Lily on a journey that would soon teach her a multitude of lessons about her life and the times she lived in.
This movie touches the heart in many ways. I was glued to the screen the entire time and wished that I had first read the book. The meaning behind the story is very easy to understand but is also quite entertaining to watch in film. With a cast, featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, and Dakota Fanning, you can’t go wrong.
