The Secret Life of Bees

" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good coming of age tearjerker about trauma, loss, friendship and made family against a backdrop of the 1960s south just as the civil rights act is enacted. I don’t think that period can be represented without a discussion of racism and this film does a decent job of presenting it. I would really like a book/movie about August and her family’s story though. I’m glad there are fewer now that present the black experience through the lens of white protagonists. "

"A great coming if ages movie that follows a great story. I might have to read the book now after watching this"

"Very well done! Omits a few sections from the book, but nothing too drastic so that it changes the main plot. The heart of the story is still there. "

"It has all the makings of a classic book adaptation. If you watch it not knowing the story, you'll feel like you're watching a movie in high school about the book your class just finished. And it's honestly refreshing. I never knew this story as a kid. Never heard of it. Then, a short of it popped up as I was scrolling, and I was hooked. I looked it up, saw it was on Hulu, and watched right then and there. Something about it hooked me from the start. I would like to say it was the other characters in the story that forced me to keep watching. Since it is a classic tale, the main character can be kind of boring at first. But every other character just had this realistic vibe to them and held this pure essence I could almost sense through the screen. Even the father I watched suspecting the truth in his character from the start. But as the story went on, I just fell deeper in love with everyone and couldn't stop. It is slow paced but at the same time almost action-packed. It's nearly perfect in that way. It knows when to slow down and when to bring in something to keep you invested. If you get lost in the majesty of the moments and shots, you'll forget the slow pacing moments all together. Like any good book adaptation it really hits you in the feels. By golly it just hurt to watch certain moments and crushed my soul to see others. It knew exactly what buttons to push and when to do it. Every moment felt purposeful. And when you see characters break down, it hurts even more. The actors did too good a job. From needless side characters to pur main cast. When the main character had her breakdown moment, I finally fell in love with her character, too. What I saw as just a placeholder became someone real, and I finally felt like I was watching her story, as opposed to others. Overall, a phenomenal story fleshed out and brought to the surface for our viewing. I promise it'll teach you something you didn't know you needed. It may even reignite a lost passion."

"I loved the book so much that I didn’t love this film as much as I would have if I never read the book. "

"This is a most fantastic book! If you have not read it I highly recommend it! It’s such a great story. The movie however is so not good. They really did not do it justice. I don’t recommend the movie, to me, just a waste of time. There’s a saying, and it’s so true, “Don’t judge a book by its movie”. And this is one of those times. Definitely read the book! You won’t be disappointed. "

"Based on a remarkable book! Not only was this well done but the star-studded cast is icing on the cake!"

"This was a good movie. "

"Beautiful coming-of-age story that actually addresses race relations without the terrible "white savior" and other awful tropes. This is a story about trauma and grief, with a beautiful and yet still upbeat tone to it. The film plays with themes of family and what it really means."

"A feel good movie with just a few tears. Yes, the tears were mine. "