The Secret Life of Bees

The story was okay, but I think there was an underlying mammy factor that rubbed me the wrong way.

Glossy yet ultimately shallow, this platitudinous, unconvincing drama makes The Colour Purple look like Mississippi Burning.

On most levels the film, which has a surprising number of unconvincing details, takes the sugary option; it shies away from the harsher realities whenever possible.

The source material remains affecting and the cast work hard to add dimension to a lacklustre screenplay. But sadly, it adds up to less than the sum of its parts.

There's a purity, clarity and honesty to this feminist heart-warmer's melodramatic instincts that make it surprisingly moving and satisfying.

Like the rank and file of bees, everyone has their place here and they work towards an end product that is sweet but best enjoyed by children.

The Secret Life of Bees is a pleasant little film that reduces overwhelming ideas into light emotional drama.

A wonderful film for families.

The mawkish possibilities inherent in the story are mostly averted, thanks to the high quality of acting.