Trailer - The Secret Life Of Bees (Latifah, J-Hud, Okonedo, Keys)
Here it is, the first teaser clip for Gina Prince Bythewood's latest since Love and Basketball, titled, The Secret Life of Bees, based on the critically acclaimed 2002 bestselling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, which stars an interesting combo of actresses including, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo, and Alicia Keys.Although Dakota Fanning is the star of the film, which is set in South Carolina in 1964, and tells the tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (played by Paul Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.
Never read the book, so I have no idea what to expect here. But based on the synopsis alone, I can't help but get the proverbial "magical, mystical Negro" air from it, considering it's set in the early 60s, accompanied by sentences like "Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world." It sounds like yet another Legend of Bagger Vance-type of story - a supporting mystical black stock character(s) who, by use of special insight or other kind of "power," helps the white protagonist get over some personal struggle.
I can only hope that with a director who is black and female, we'll get an atypical representation. The film is scheduled for an October 17 release. Thoughts?
Never read the book, so I have no idea what to expect here. But based on the synopsis alone, I can't help but get the proverbial "magical, mystical Negro" air from it, considering it's set in the early 60s, accompanied by sentences like "Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world." It sounds like yet another Legend of Bagger Vance-type of story - a supporting mystical black stock character(s) who, by use of special insight or other kind of "power," helps the white protagonist get over some personal struggle.
I can only hope that with a director who is black and female, we'll get an atypical representation. The film is scheduled for an October 17 release. Thoughts?
Uhhhhhhhhh. I don't know. Jennifer Hudson looks lost. The little she said made me cringe a little bit. I don't know what else to say. We'll just have to wait and see.
Couldn't play the video but from what you've said... Yep, it has magical negress(es) written all over it - doesn't matter who's directing it.
I don't know about Jennifer Hudson's acting skills. I'm now wondering if that Oscar she won was an accident. No matter, I will need to see more of this before praising or condemning it. There isn't a lot to go on here. It looks like it's well shot though.
The Secret Lives of Bees is a beautiful, well written and pleasant book. I would suggest you read the book before commenting any further. Those who comment about a movie clip that you can only see a few minutes of should take a moment to find out if there is more to it. The movie with a great cast of TALENTED actors can only produce a hit. Again, take some time to read the BOOK. Reading if FUNDAMENTAL!