Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

wsiko2 I watched this movie with my young daughter because she was practicing for her local spelling bee and we had already seen "Akeelah and the Bee". We both thought "Bee Season" would have a similar uplifting story as Akeelah. Boy we're we wrong.Not that I did not like this film, but as it progressed I realized we weren't in Kansas anymore. Then half way through the film I looked at the DVD jacket again to see if it was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It was not. But I kept waiting for him to make a cameo appearance. Basically if you like M. Night Shyamalan type films you will like this one then. Unfortunately nothing is wrapped up neatly or to anyone's satisfaction at the end of the film (oh dear, is that a spoiler?). All though things start out normally for this family of four, they quickly become abnormal. They seem the perfect suburban upper middle class family. By the end of the film they are far from it.(As I am typing this review I realize I would fail a spelling bee, ironic?). I think you have to see this film at least twice (maybe more)to really appreciate it. I wish it would have delved more into what the father was thinking about how he felt his wife and son were behaving or what they had become. Although this film left you with a lot to think on, it had the potential to be so much more. Hmmmm....kind of reminds me of "the Happening". I am not going into the actual events of the characters and events in the film , as that has already been covered very well in other reviews I have read here. I just wanted to give you my "take" on it. When I finish viewing a film, I determine whether I really enjoyed it or not by asking myself "Would I watch this film again". In this case my answer was "yes".

moviesleuth2 "Bee Season" is an engrossing little film, despite being very strange. I've wanted to see this film ever since I saw its beautiful trailer, and I have to say, the trailer is nothing like the movie (though maybe that's a good thing anyway, since it gives the public a listen to Scott Mallone's haunting song). Still, it warrants a recommendation, if you're in the mood for something a little different. Okay, something VERY different."Bee Season" tells the story of a Californian family (not the kind one would normally associate with California-this isn't Newport Beach). Saul (Richard Gere) is the patriarch, a professor who studies Jewish mysticism. Mother Miriam (Juliette Binoche) is a scientist who practices some rather unusual activities outside the home and the lab. Aaron (Max Minghella) finds new religion. And daughter Eliza (Flora Cross) finds herself at the center of attention when she wins a spelling bee.The film touches on a lot of elements; some of which I got, others I didn't. Directors Scott McGhee and David Siegel use many literary techniques to adapt Myla Goldberg's novel to the screen. Symbolism is prominent both in meaning and approach (I won't go into details to avoid giving anything away).The acting really centers around the four leads. Richard Gere has geared his time towards roles that allow him to act instead of be a "moviestar." His portrayal of Saul is excellent. He is so self-absorbed that he is blind to everyone else's needs and emotions. Gere allows him to be aloof, but ordinary on the surface, not stuck up (he believes in what he's saying). Juliette Binoche is excellent as always (I can't say anything more). Max Minghella is great as the jealous older brother, though he doesn't go for the cliché and take it out on Eliza, he goes for the source (Saul). Newcomer Flora Cross is excellent as Eliza, who has so much suddenly thrown upon her shoulders.In a way, "Bee Season" is more of a mystery than a suburban drama (though it contains heavy elements of the latter). The story elements are presented a little at a time, and the focus switches from person to person. Yet McGhee and Siegel keep everything flowing like water, and it never drags. The film draws you in and completely envelops you with its spell. Credit goes to the director for being able to do that.I recommend the film, but its not for everyone. It's for people who pay attention and appreciate intelligent drama. Flawed, but worth your time if that describes you.

raymond-15 I love playing with words and language although I never thought that they could have a mystical quality. Some words are strange like the palindromes and some words have all the vowels in them and others in foreign languages seem to get by with almost no vowels at all.If you intend entering a spelling bee contest you must be well read and have a good memory. In this film you will be introduced to many words you did not know existed. One of the key words in this film story is the Japanese "origami", but I am not telling you why.The story centres around a little girl called Eliza, a real little champion when it comes to spelling. When she closes her eyes and meditates she can see the letters. It is a strange and mystical moment. Her father recognizes in his daughter a special spiritual gift which allows her (it seems) to commune with God.She asks her father a strange question. "Is God red?" The importance of this question is revealed in the closing sequences of the film. Moments that send shivers down your spine. An all absorbing riveting moment as she hesitantly spells out the all important word in the National Contest.Her father spends many hours coaching his daughter in the hope that she will develop her mystical powers, something which he himself had never quite attained. Unfortunately he was so absorbed in this task, he neglected the needs of his wife and son. There seemed to be no communication between the family members. His family life was shattered like a glass vessel smashed into a hundred shards. The story suggests that in some mystical way love and communion with God can recreate the whole.All the roles are well-played. I thought the argument between father and son was particularly well done. The girl from the Hare Krishna group was like a breath of fresh air to a troubled family. And mother's nervous breakdown brought us into a fantastic world of stolen glass fragments.Altogether I think the film was completely absorbing and the ending well thought out. After all,it seems that sacrifice and love can mend a broken world.

pete_olds I can't remember when I last feel asleep watching a movie. Until Bee Season.I have the distinct feeling that I should find the book and read that, but I found this movie disappointing and unable to generate emotion in the audience partially because of the prevalence of overly simplified characters. The basic premise of the movie sounded interesting, but the execution did not bring any emotional engagement in a movie which could have offered so much more.I came away with the distinct feeling that it was an attempt by shallow people to make a deep movie.