"The Secret Life of Bees" is based on a popular novel and is set in South Carolina in 1964. It was one of many 2008 films about life in America in the early '60's.

Dakota Fanning stars as Lily, a 14 year old who has had a sad life. First, as a very young child, she was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the death of her mother. Since then she's been forced to live with her father, who is not very nice to her.

Lily decides to leave home to try to find answers about her mother. She ends up in the home of a family of sister who are bee farmers, led by August, who is played by Queen Latifah. Lily learns a lot about life and love - both the good and the bad - from the three sisters and their friends. 

The acting in "The Secret Life of Bees" is first-rate. Singers Alisha Keys and Jennifer Hudson are also in the cast. And the story is well done.

This is a serious film about serious subjects, such racism and death. It's rated PG-13 and is best suited for teenagers and above, especially girls and their moms. Fans of Dakota Fanning need to know that she's come a long way from her roles in "The Cat in the Hat" and "Charlotte's Web."

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "The Secret Life of Bees" gets a B.

Actors Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith were producers of the film. I think fans of the book and anyone who's in the mood for a drama with good characters and a good message will enjoy this DVD.

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