The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees is a 2008 American drama film adapted from the 2001 novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Paul Bettany, the film was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Will Smith, with Jada Pinkett Smith as the executive producer. The Secret Life of Bees was released in the United States on October 17, 2008, and in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2008, to varied reviews. Critics praised it for being faithful to the source material and complimented the performances while some criticized the sentimental tone and the simplistic handling of complex issues. The film became a moderate success financially, grossing $40 million on a budget of $11 million.