Movie Review by Dr Kuma
Starring: Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Flora Cross, Max Minghella
Directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Now this is something I wasn’t expecting – a movie that left me slightly bewildered and puzzling over its true meaning long after it had finished rather than the paint drying monotony many people had said it was.
The film revolves around a wife and mother (Juliette Binoche) beginning a downward emotional spiral as her husband avoids their collapsing marriage by immersing himself in his 11 year-old daughter’s quest to become a spelling bee champion. This may sound like a rather depressing potboiler but stay with it as there are so many different layers to this that it keeps you riveted to the last word.
Like the posed words in the Spelling Bee competition, we don’t know what’s coming next or how it will turn out but suffice to say that it involves wonderful visuals, great acting (especially from the much maligned Gere) and too many surprises to mention (Kate Bosworth as a Hare Krishna anyone?). All rather deep and effecting, BEE SEASON is worth checking out if you have an interest in how great pictures can emerge from simple words. If you can spell inquisitive, then this could be the picture for you.
Dr Kuma’s verdict: A first class attempt and staying clear of Bee picture cliche’s.
