Everybody deserves better than "The Secret Life of Bees." That includes the filmmakers, the cast, the crew, the audience ... you name it.
This deep-fried, Deep South parable is set in the mid-'60s and is so by-the-numbers, so predictable that you could almost set a clock by the timing of its plotting machinations.
Thanks to its talented cast, the movie is not horrible, though it is frustrating. Especially since there's only so much that the performers can do with the material.
"Bees" is based on the best-selling Sue Monk Kidd novel, which was an Oprah Book Club selection. Dakota Fanning stars as Lily Owens, a young South Carolina runaway who's accompanied by her friend and servant, Rosaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson).
They're headed to a honey farm where Lily believed her late mother may have found safe harbor. Once they arrive, Lily lies about her reasons for coming there to the farm's owner, August Boatwright (Queen Latifah). However, August and her kind-hearted sister, May (Sophie Ookonedo), agree to take them in.
Another sister, June (Alicia Keys), is not entirely convinced the two newcomers are sincere. Meanwhile, Lily's cruel father, T. Ray (Paul Bettany), is trying to track the girl down.
It's interesting that Gina Prince-Bythewood (2000's "Love & Basketball") cast three musical talents-turned-actresses, Latifah, Keys and Hudson.
Two of the three are quite good. Hudson is a steady presence throughout the film's opening third, but then her character is largely forgotten.
Latifah's matronly August is appealing as well, though Keys is a bit stiff and unlikable as the suspicious June.
As for Fanning, she's escaped her awkward adolescent phase but still has a creepy, almost alien presence. As a result, it's hard to warm to her character, which is a huge problem.
"The Secret Life of Bees" is rated PG-13 and features some strong violent content (domestic violence, a racially motivated beating and brief gunplay), scattered strong profanity, racial slurs and other derogatory language, and some suggestive language and references. Running time: 110 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com