These Bees have a secret that will last a lifetime

The Secret Life of Bees is set in South Carolina in 1964, the tale of Lily Owens, 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, Lily flees with Rosaleen, 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, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.

Haunted by memories of her late mother, 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna. Little Lily Owens hates her life, she's plagued with nightmares of the last time that she saw her mother (we find out early in the movie that she accidently killed her when she was 4) and her father (Paul Bettany)isn't the best parental figure in her life. The only good thing she has is Rosaleen and a small box of things left behind by her mother. One item is a post card with an address and a picture of the Black Madonna on the back. After Rosaleen is beaten for standing up to a white man in the neighboring town she decides runaway with Rosaleen in tow. She soon comes across the home that the address goes to where she meets the Boatwright sisters August, June, and May (they had a late sister April). She comes there to seek answers about her mother, but holds tghis info from the sisters. August and May welcome their new guests with open arms while June is skeptical. The Boatwrights operate a successful beekeeping and honey business and august is more than happy to teach Lily all that she knows. While living with the Boatwrights a young black apprentice named Zach catches her eye. As she starts to get comfortable her past life catches up with her after Zach comes up missing (but later found nearly unharmed) and the sad suicide of Boatwright sister, May (that'll bring a tear to anyones eye). Soon Lily thinks that she's causing all of this and lets August in on why she was really there. August knew Lily's mother very well because she was her caregiver. After her father realizes where she's gone he confronts her and says he wants her home. In the end she decides to stay with the Boatwrights. A Powerful story with enough for everyone. I suggest that you bring your tissues, you'lll need them. A strong 4 on my "Go See" scale.