Above all, it contains characters I care for, played by actors I admire.Read Full Review »
88
ReelViews: James Berardinelli
The other actress to stand out is, unsurprisingly, Queen Latifa, whose intense screen presence makes her a force to be reckoned with even when she's simply standing in the background, not saying anything.Read Full Review »
75
Boston Globe: Wesley Morris
On screen something happens that goes beyond Monk's powers of description and Fanning's way of seeming 14 and 44 at the same time.Read Full Review »
75
Philadelphia Inquirer: Carrie Rickey
The filmmakers give Latifah and Fanning room to create characters that breathe in the sweet smell of clover and breathe out the contented sigh of independence.Read Full Review »
70
Washington Post: Michael O'Sullivan
Keys isn't given much to do except look as though she's posing for an album cover, but Okonedo's face is a marvel. Every thought, every emotion flickers across it like clouds obscuring the sun.Read Full Review »
63
USA Today: Claudia Puig
Hampered by over-earnestness and tugs too intently at the heartstrings.Read Full Review »
60
Time: Richard Corliss
The Secret Life of Bees may not be a "To Kill a Mockingbird" on page or screen, but Fanning is the center of its soul and intelligence. It's Hollywood's job to find strong parts for this precocious genius as she matures into womanhood.Read Full Review »
60
Salon.com: Stephanie Zacharek
May be overly sentimental at times, but at least it's about something.Read Full Review »
50
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Carina Chocano
What's being sold here is the movie equivalent of the honey-drenched sweet potato biscuits that are forever being passed around on-screen. Their nutritional value may be nil, but they sure look comforting.Read Full Review »
50
The New York Times: A.O. Scott
The film insists so strenuously on its themes of redemption, tolerance, love and healing that it winds up defeating itself, and robbing Ms. Kidd’s already maudlin tale of its melodramatic heat.Read Full Review »
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