movie review queen bees

Screen Rant

Queen bees ending explained.

Helen finally found companionship and love at the Pine Grove Senior Community by the end of Queen Bees, leading to a heartfelt and happy conclusion.

• Helen forgave Dan's betrayal because she saw that he truly loved her and wanted to make her happy. Love triumphs in the end.
• Janet's decision to help Helen find Dan stemmed from her own fear of being alone. She wanted to change and be a nicer person to avoid a lifetime of anger.
• Helen and Dan decided to stay at Pine Grove because moving on from the past and embracing new beginnings is a central theme of the movie. They found happiness and purpose in their new life together.

Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn) was able to find friends at the Pine Grove Senior Community, and the ending of Queen Bees had her also finding love and marrying Dan Simpson (James Caan). Helen had a tough time adjusting to life at Pine Grove, but she eventually befriended the other Queen Bees and created a new home in the community. Though there were some hiccups along the way, as Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin) revealed that Dan had been hired to make Helen happy at Pine Grove, the romantic comedy currently streaming on Netflix has a heartfelt ending, which helped propel it to success.

Queen Bees ' ending saw Helen forge new relationships and rekindle the one she had with her daughter. Queen Bees was also a Caan and Burstyn reunion , and Queen Bees also showed an older James Caan could still pull his comedic weight. The movie has a fairly straightforward ending, but it also tackles some tough questions and themes . The ending of Queen Bees shows Helen and Dan in a happy new marriage, but it needs a bit of an explanation.

James Caan's 10 Most Iconic Characters (& Their Best Quotes)

Why helen took dan back despite his betrayal in queen bees’ ending, it's an old trope, but it worked..

Towards the end of Queen Bees , it was revealed that Dan had been hired by Pine Grove's facility manager Ken to make sure Helen was happy at the senior community. Helen's daughter, Laura (Elizabeth Mitchell), had threatened to sabotage a land deal Pine Grove needed to expand if her mother wasn't happy. Janet exposed Dan's job to get back at Helen for taking over her friend group. Helen, understandably, felt betrayed by Dan, as she saw the situation as him trying to trick her into falling in love.

However, by the end of the movie, she had taken Dan back. One of the reasons for her decision is because she saw that Dan truly loved her when Janet forced Ken to speak about where Dan had gone, and he told them Dan had returned his salary. The biggest reason, though, was simply that Helen loved him. She had gone back to her house earlier, and as she explained to Laura, she felt that her late husband Charlie wanted her to move on and enjoy life . Dan made her happy during a big change in her life, and she wanted to be with him for the rest of it.

Janet’s Decision To Help Helen Find Dan Explained

Janet's fear of being alone changed her ways..

Janet began as a very rude and unpleasant person in Queen Bees . As the leader of the Bees, she was mostly responsible for the group's reputation of being mean around Pine Grove. In the end, she had decided to give up her coarse ways and try to be a nicer person. She explained the decision to Helen, saying that she felt bad for betraying Helen and that she didn't want to be angry for the rest of her life . As Helen pointed out, that change wasn't likely to happen overnight, but Janet seemed committed to changing herself.

Earlier in the movie, after her surprise birthday lunch with the other Bees, Janet felt empowered to confront her estranged son, whom she hadn't spoken to in a long time, but she discovered that her son had told his neighbors that Janet was dead. Janet realized that she had driven her son away with her attitude and that she was driving everyone else she cared about away, too , including the Bees. Janet was afraid of death throughout the movie, which drove her dedication to exercise, but a long life is meaningless if she had no one to share it with.

Why Helen And Dan Decided To Stay At Pine Grove

Moving on is a key theme of the movie..

While Helen was explaining her decision to marry Dan to Laura, she said that they would be moving into an apartment in Pine Grove together. Helen was initially very reluctant to leave the house she had built with her late husband, Charlie, but her worries were assuaged when she visited the house one night. Their decision to sell the house and live together at Pine Grove spoke to the central theme of the movie, that Helen had to move on from the past in order to enjoy the rest of her life . Charlie was gone, but he would always be in her heart, and she could take him with her wherever she called home.

Queen Bees is available to stream on Netflix.

What Queen Bees’ Ending Really Means

There's always more life left to live..

Queen Bees is a simple romantic comedy about people in the golden years of their lives, but its message covers much more complex themes. The movie is about letting go of the past and of loss, like Helen needed to do to move on. Helen was listless in her house, and the rest of her life suffered because of it. Moving to Pine Grove gave her a new purpose and a new lease on life. Because she was able to physically move, she also spiritually moved. She was able to make new relationships and finally address the years-long feud she had with her daughter and make amends.

The movie also shows that there is more life to enjoy, even when it seems like the best days have passed. Helen lived a full life, with a loving husband and a beautiful family, but she still had more life to experience in her later years. She didn't need to shuffle through her house alone just because of her age,; she could still make new friends and find new love. Helen and Dan stayed at Pine Grove in Queen Bees because they had made a new life together there, and they were committed to enjoying it .

Queen Bees is a heartfelt romantic comedy about a group of seniors finding new love. What began as a high school drama set in a nursing home ended as a heartfelt tale about letting go of the past and looking forward to the future. Helen and Dan were able to find and choose each other even after their long lives, and their love for each other promises to make the rest of their days sweet.

site categories

Brian tyree henry joins uni’s pharrell williams-michel gondry musical, ‘queen bees’ review: ellen burstyn & ann-margret lead veteran ensemble in sort of a ‘mean girls’ in a retirement home.

By Pete Hammond

Pete Hammond

Awards Columnist/Chief Film Critic

More Stories By Pete

• ‘Abigail’ Review: Melissa Barrera And Dan Stevens Battle Dracula’s Child In Cheeky Vampire Flick
• ‘The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ Review: A Down And Dirty Henry Cavill Leads Unorthodox Mission Against Nazis In Guy Ritchie’s Swell WWII Adventure
• From CinemaCon To Cannes: Has The New Oscar Season Rung Its First Bell?

The combined age of the key cast of the new comedy Queen Bees  is so astronomical I can’t count that high. Ellen Burstyn is 88, James Caan is 81, Ann-Margret is 80(!), Loretta Devine is 71, Jane Curtin is 73 and Christopher Lloyd is 82. All of these actors have had stellar, awards-laden careers, and this new film, which could be described as Mean Girls  in a retirement home, proves they still have a lot of firepower left.

The older audience is a potent one for movies, if only  Hollywood made movies  for  them — films where maybe they can relate to characters their own age in showing it is never too late (this film’s original title) to find life and love. The idea for this one actually came from producer Harrison Powell, who based it on the experience of his own family, a grandmother who found new love when she reluctantly went to live for a brief time in a retirement home. That is the plotline here as independent Helen (Burstyn) refuses her daughter Laura’s (Elizabeth Mitchell) advice in moving from her comfortable home to a facility for seniors. However, a kitchen accident sets part of her house on fire and she is convinced to move to the retirement community for only one month while repairs take place.

Related Stories

How The Ho Chi Minh Film Festival Plans To Become Southeast Asia's Top Event

2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

When she gets there she finds that despite the advanced age of the residents it is really no different than high school, ruled by different cliques including a bridge club that doesn’t believe in inclusivity. That group is run by Queen Bee Janet (Curtin), who rejects the idea of Helen joining their game which also includes Queen Bees Margot (Ann-Margret) and Sally (Loretta Devine). But when Sally’s partner becomes incapacitated she rallies support for Helen to join. It is friction between Helen and Janet from that moment on.

In addition to the problems of fitting into this universe, Helen is wooed by likable newbie Dan (Caan), who courts her and finally wins her over (though there are complications). The other major male resident spotlighted here is Arthur (Lloyd), a frisky senior who is slowly slipping into dementia, making for a poignant few scenes involving him.

There is no attempt at broad comedy or outlandish situations in the script by Donald Martin, or the expert direction of veteran Michael Lembeck. It is just the stuff of life as we grow older, presented in an entertaining and fun scenario that feels old fashioned, the kind of movie Hollywood once loved turning out; with this superb veteran cast it is very welcome indeed. Burstyn is still one of the best out there, and Ann-Margret has clearly stopped the clock. Devine is a delight here as Sally, a spirited resident who has her own battles with aging. Curtin is perfectly cast, as are Caan and Lloyd. French Stewart turns up as the manager of the place, and there’s nice work from Matthew Barnes as Peter, Helen’s sweet and concerned grandson. Queen Bees  is well worth seeing, no matter what your age.

Producers are Fred Bernstein, Powell and Dominique Telson. Gravitas Ventures opens it in theaters Friday. Check out my video review above with scenes from the film.

Do you plan to see  Queen Bees? Let us know what you think.

Must Read Stories

Comer, taylor-johnson & fiennes set to lead first pic in ‘28 years later’ trilogy.

Hollywood Contraction Hits Star TV Packages: “A Head-Scratcher”

Actors access is latest target in class-action suit over pay-to-play service, stock dips on expenses despite solid q1; “closely” eyeing tiktok story.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

14 comments.

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Where to Watch

Ellen Burstyn (Helen Wilson) Jane Curtin (Janet Poindexter) Loretta Devine (Sally Hanson) Ann-Margret (Margot Clark) Christopher Lloyd (Arthur Lane) James Caan (Dan Simpson) Alec Mapa (Lito Santos) French Stewart (Ken DeNardo) Matthew Barnes (Peter Crane) Ricky Russert (Pablo Leon)

Michael Lembeck

After reluctantly agreeing to move into a home for seniors, a woman encounters a clique of mean-spirited women and an amorous widower.

Recommendations

Advertisement

"Very Funny Geriatric Comedy of Moving on and Finding Love"

What You Need To Know:

In the comedy QUEEN BEES, Helen accidentally sets fire to her home. So, her daughter and grandson reluctantly convince Helen to move to the Pine Grove retirement community. Helen observes that Pine Grove isn’t unlike high school; there are popular people and outcasts. The top popular residents of Pine Grove are a group of women the community calls “The Queen Bees.” For a while, Helen is content moving at her own pace, but once she gets invited to an exclusive bridge game, Helen shows the Queen Bees she can hang with the best of them. Can her new friends and a new romance snap Helen out of her bitterness?

Despite some jumpy pacing and predictability, QUEEN BEES is laugh-out-loud funny and touching, with great acting by its veteran cast. The movie has a strong moral, redemptive worldview. It stresses caring for the elderly, kindness leading to companionship, saying “I’m sorry,” and friendship. This positive content is marred by about 20 obscenities and profanities, a light New Age comment, some innuendoes, and brief marijuana use. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for QUEEN BEES.

Miscellaneous Immorality: Occasional gossip, minor character mentions he’s divorced, a clique of elderly women are sometimes rude and a little mean, trickery, some dysfunctional family portrayals, and brief poker playing.

More Detail:

Picture this – massages, speed dating, an indoor pool, prepared meals, and a lovely place to lay one’s head. Sounds appealing, right? Well, it does to most everyone, except Helen, who doesn’t want to move into this all-inclusive retirement community.

In the comedy QUEEN BEES, Helen accidentally sets fire to her home. Helen’s daughter and grandson reluctantly convince Helen to move to the Pine Grove retirement community. Once there, Helen observes that Pine Grove isn’t unlike high school; there are the popular people and the outcasts. The top popular residents in Pine Grove are a group of women the community calls “The Queen Bees.” For a while, Helen is content moving at her own place, but once she gets invited to an exclusive bridge game, Helen shows the Queen Bees that she can hang with the best of them.

Shortly after Helen starts to get settled, Frank moves into Pine Grove and starts to pursue her. Frank volunteers for all the same activities as Helen and doesn’t exactly shy away from her feisty behavior. Meanwhile, Helen remains adamant she’ll only be at Pine Grove for a month, until her insurance works out the home renovations from the fire. Helen’s grandson and daughter, though, tell her otherwise. This news bums out Helen to no end.

Thankfully, the Queen Bees and Frank encourage Helen that life at Pine Grove isn’t so bad. Will Helen succumb to their encouragement, or remain embittered about her new life?

QUEEN BEES is laugh-out-loud funny and can be enjoyed by all ages, but older viewers will especially find it hilarious. Also, the dialogue is very witty. As the two lovers, iconic stars Ellen Burstyn (THE EXORCIST and ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE ) and James Caan (BRIAN’S SONG, THE GODFATHER, ELF, and CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS) make a dynamic pair. For all its humor, QUEEN BEES also has some sobering comments about aging that add to the movie’s appeal and approachability. In terms of quality, though, QUEEN BEES seems a little predictable and struggles with a jumpy flow, but those are the only really noticeable flaws. QUEEN BEES functions similarly to the 2019 movie POMS or lewder cousin BOOK CLUB with Jane Fonda or even IT’S COMPLICATED with Meryl Strep.

QUEEN BEES has a strong moral, light redemptive worldview. It stresses caring for the elderly, kindness leading to companionship, saying “I’m sorry,” and friendship. There’s also a comment thanking God. One character makes an off-the-cuff New Age comment. Also, an elderly woman mentions one of her former husbands left her for a man. Regrettably, QUEEN BEES also has some other sexual innuendo, brief marijuana use and about 20 obscenities and profanities. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong or extreme caution, depending on the viewer’s maturity level and age.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• CA Privacy Notice

‘Queen Bees’ Film Review: Ellen Burstyn Leads an All-Star Cast Determined to Elevate Meh Material

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

A love story set in a retirement home is a sweet premise, and when you stack the cast with greats like Ellen Burstyn , James Caan, Jane Curtin, Ann-Margret , Christopher Lloyd, and Loretta DeVine, greatness is expected. But in director MIchael Lembeck’s “Queen Bees,” the overly simplistic nature of the script becomes both pragmatic and detrimental, never allowing any character the depth they are owed while providing just enough of a formulaic plot, one that asks nothing more than for you to enjoy the ensemble.

Helen (Burstyn) is an independent woman in her 80s whose daughter Laura (Elizabeth Mitchell, “Lost”) and grandson Peter (Matthew Barnes, “Strange Angel”) are getting worried about her living alone. The matriarch constantly refuses her daughter’s suggestions about moving into a nearby retirement community until the day Helen accidentally sets her kitchen on fire. She finally agrees to live in the retirement community, for one month, until her home repairs are completed.

Helen quickly learns who the mean girls of Pine Grove are by getting on the bad side of Janet (Curtin), while befriending Margot (Ann-Margret) and Sally (Devine). Soon Helen finds herself not only enjoying her time at Pine Grove but also starting to consider love again, after she meets and is wooed by the community’s newest resident, Dan (Caan).

From the visual style to the storytelling, “Queen Bees” envelops itself in simplicity, served up like a warm dish of comfort food that’s had some of the flavor microwaved out of it. Production designer Dara Wishingrad (“The Photograph”) paints Helen’s world in cool pastel tones — so much so that when warm hues appear in later scenes to emulate the feeling of falling in love, it feels like a different film, and not in an intentional way. Cinematographer Alice Brooks (“In the Heights”) sometimes shoots the retirement community to look like a hotel, which only contributes to the flatness of the relationships that are forming there.

The script by Hallmark veteran Donald Martin, based on a story by Harrison Powell, reads like wannabe early-aughts Nancy Meyers, with a less misogynistic “Taming of the Shrew” subplot. The lack of substance in the writing becomes most apparent in the portrayal of female friendships. Those relationships have always represented a complex dynamic, but “Queen Bees” — unlike similar films about women over a certain age, including “Something’s Gotta Give,” “It’s Complicated,” and “Book Club” — barely attempts to explore them with any kind of depth.

And while Devine is a gem in this film, bringing warmth and energy to every scene she’s in, it’s hard not to see her presence here as a kind of tokenization. Sure, her character has a backstory, but why does she align herself with three white women who call themselves “mean girls,” and why does she have no relationship at all with the only other Black woman in the film?

For all the superficiality and shortcomings of “Queen Bees,” the film’s biggest draw, and strongest attribute, is its packed ensemble of iconic actors. Burstyn and Caan create the kind of chemistry that will make audiences care about their relationship and whether or not it will come to fruition. It’s easy to see why these talented performers are still booking jobs in their 70s and 80s because even without strong material, they alone make the film worth watching. (Strange, though, that the producers missed the opportunity to exploit “Third Rock from the Sun” nostalgia by pairing Curtin and co-star French Stewart in a scene together.)

“Queen Bees” won’t win any awards, and it is far from being a classic rom-com, but it’s certainly a film to consider if you’re taking your grandmother out to the movies. If nothing else, it’s trying to shine a spotlight on some older characters — and older character actors — and one can hope more films like this get made, only with a better sense of what womanhood and friendship looks like in the golden years.

“Queen Bees” opens in U.S. theaters and on demand June 11.

Read original story ‘Queen Bees’ Film Review: Ellen Burstyn Leads an All-Star Cast Determined to Elevate Meh Material At TheWrap

Recommended Stories

Based on the odds, here's what the top 10 picks of the nfl draft will be.

What would a mock draft look like using just betting odds?

Broncos, Jets, Lions and Texans have new uniforms. Let's rank them

Which new uniforms are winners this season?

Jamie Dimon is worried the US economy is headed back to the 1970s

JPMorgan's CEO is concerned the US economy could be in for a repeat of the stagflation that hampered the country during the 1970s.

Everyone's still talking about the 'SNL' Beavis and Butt-Head sketch. Cast members and experts explain why it's an instant classic.

Ryan Gosling, who starred in the skit, couldn't keep a straight face — and neither could some of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.

Dave McCarty, player on 2004 Red Sox championship team, dies 1 week after team's reunion

The Red Sox were already mourning the loss of Tim Wakefield from that 2004 team.

Ryan Garcia drops Devin Haney 3 times en route to stunning upset

The 25-year-old labeled "mentally fragile" by many delivered the upset for the ages.

Luka makes Clippers look old, Suns are in big trouble & a funeral for Lakers | Good Word with Goodwill

Vincent Goodwill and Tom Haberstroh break down last night’s NBA Playoffs action and preview several games for tonight and tomorrow.

WNBA Draft winners and losers: As you may have guessed, the Fever did pretty well. The Liberty? Perhaps not

Here are five franchises who stood out, for better or for worse.

Yankees' Nestor Cortés told by MLB his pump-fake pitch is illegal

Cortés' attempt didn't fool Andrés Giménez, who fouled off the pitch.

Arch Manning dominates in the Texas spring game, and Jaden Rashada enters the transfer portal

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more

ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

Female Film Critics 24/375

QUEEN BEES – Review by Rachel West

The new comedy Queen Bees shows what happens when Mean Girls grow up.

Headed by a cast of screen legends including Ellen Burstyn, Ann-Margret, Jane Curtin, Loretta Devine, James Caan and Christopher Lloyd, Queen Bees may be predictable but there’s no denying the feel-good movie will delight viewers.

Academy Award winner Burstyn stars as Helen, a widow clinging to her independence who is prone to locking herself out of her home. After an accidental fire leaves her house in need of repair, she reluctantly agrees to her daughter’s (Elizabeth Mitchell) wishes to temporarily move into the nearby Pine Grove retirement community.

Pitched as a retirement heaven on earth, Helen soon runs afoul of Pine Grove’s top clique of mean girls led by queen bee Janet (Curtin) and her bridge-playing pals Margot (Ann-Margret) and Sally (Devine). In a place where women outnumber the men, the women in Janet’s posse see newcomer Helen as a way to shake things up among the group. Before long Helen finds herself not only getting comfortable at Pine Grove, but falling for a romantic suitor named Dan (Caan) who pulls out all the stops in his attempts to woo her.

Though Queen Bees doesn’t reinvent formulaic plot points, the movie is noteworthy if only for its cast of senior actors. How rarely we get to see a main cast with a median age of 80 on screen with lives that amount to more than just background filler or comedic relief. Here, the trials and tribulations of the retirement community are just as prescient as those found in high school hallways, albeit with a little more back pain and health woes.

Directed by Michael Lembeck with a screenplay by Donald Martin, this group of actors seem to be having a ball together on-screen, most notably a bad toupee-topped Christopher Lloyd who hams it up as one of Pine Grove’s bachelor studs. Burstyn, too, is dynamic on-screen as Helen navigates the complications of fitting in and finding romance in her twilight years. Her scenes with Caan are filled with palpable chemistry and longing that further drive home to need for more romantic stories about couples finding their second chance at love in their later years. In a sweet nod to senior love, the end credits roll with pictures of elder couples who have found romance that might make Queen Bees viewers misty-eyed.

While some of the jokes are hit-or-miss, Queen Bees is a light-hearted romp that will especially charm an older audience.

• ← THE POWER OF KANGWON PROVINCE – Review by Diane Carson
• SKATER GIRL – Review by Valerie Kalfrin →

Rachel West

Based in Toronto, Rachel is a Senior Film Critic at ThatShelf.com. She has interviewed everyone from Michael Fassbender to Miss Piggy and has reported live from TIFF, the SAG Awards, Comic-Con, and the Golden Globes, among other events, and has contributed film writing and content to outlets including ET Canada, Telefilm, Global News, The National Post, Cineplex Magazine, and Letterboxd, among others. She is a member of the Toronto Film Critics Association. Find her on Twitter: @rachel_is_here

Speical Offer

Buy an IMAX ticket to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to be entered for a chance to win a Wētā FX experience in New Zealand

Stream migration.

Take flight with a funny, feathered vacation like no other as a family of ducks embark on the trip of a lifetime. The animated movie from theaters is streaming now on Peacock.

Special offer.

Autobots, roll out! Buy one ticket for Transformers: 40th Anniversary Event on Fandango and get one ticket for free when you use code TRANSFORMERSBOGO at checkout.

Buy a ticket to Unsung Hero from April 10 - May 10 for $5 off the Inspirational Movie 5-Film Collection. Promo code expires on May 15.

Save $5 on ghostbusters 5-movie collection.

Buy a ticket to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on Fandango and get $5 off the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

More Details

More like this.

Coming Soon

Questions? Call 1-844-505-2993

• Help Center
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Netflix Shop
• Redeem Gift Cards
• Buy Gift Cards
• Ways to Watch
• Terms of Use
• Cookie Preferences
• Corporate Information
• Legal Notices
• Only on Netflix
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Film Review: ‘Queen Bees’ Has An Inspiring A-List Cast Yet Winds Up Decidedly Uninspired

*Warning: This piece may contain spoilers for Queen Bees*

Listen: a cast of star-studded acting veterans such as Ellen Burstyn , James Caan , Ann-Margaret , Christopher Lloyd , Jane Curtin , and Loretta Devine in a comedy made for the “young at heart” should at least make for something palpable. Unfortunately, however, director Michael Lembeck , most notably known for the Santa Clause sequels and the (dreadful) Tooth Fairy , makes sure Queen Bees is barely watchable, as it feels like a horribly sentimental Hallmark/Lifetime movie you’d catch on TV on a rainy Sunday afternoon and immediately forget about once it’s over.

Case in point: the film’s plot is so uninspired you’ll likely have seen in a plethora of Hallmark movies, with the same type of character progression. It tells the story of Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn), an independent retired woman who lives alone after her husband died years ago. She believes a plot is against her, as her nearby neighbors ask about when her house will be sold, believing her daughter (Elizabeth Mitchell) wants her out of her home and in a retirement community to profit off her house. However, an accidental fire force Helen out of her home and inside Pinegrove’s retirement community. At first, she’s incredibly reticent of staying in but quickly starts to make friends and quickly falls in love with one of her neighbors, Dan Simpson (James Caan). Predictably, she starts to form a community and loves being at Pinegrove so much that she’ll quickly start to call it her new home.

There’s nothing new and/or original Queen Bees offers. The film is strictly made for audience members looking for the most predictable and comforting films imaginable that never wants to innovate from a screenwriting perspective. Take, for example, Helen’s arc. Once she settles into Pinegrove, she incessantly reminds everyone she meets that she’s “only going to be there for a month!” due to her house reparations, as she doesn’t want to have anything to do with the retirement community…that is until her reparations get delayed time and again that she is forced to make some friends. You can already tell how her arc will end by only watching the film’s opening: Helen is stubborn about her house and doesn’t want to let go of her past life. How will this end? Of course, she’ll eventually have a change of heart, and staying at Pinegrove will make her able to let go of the past and move in the present with Dan and her friends.

Many subplots immediately get dropped and/or are deemed unimportant after they are presented. For example, in proper Tommy Wiseau fashion, it’s revealed that Sally’s (Loretta Devine)’s cancer has come back and never (ever) gets mentioned again. Why say something so drastic that could change the direction of your character and never follow through on it? The same can be said for Christopher Lloyd (whose comedic chops are pitifully wasted here), who reveals, in a rather emotional sequence to Ann-Margaret’s Margot, that he has Alzheimer’s and has trouble remembering the names of each person he meets, also never gets mentioned again. Again, both are important directions for its supporting characters yet are never brought to completion.

It desperately wants to emotionally invest the audience in Pinegrove’s characters. Still, it doesn’t seem to understand that every decision made to flesh out a character needs to have some importance, either to the story or how it motivates the character to live with passion every day or something along those lines. Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and even strokes are mentioned, which are all serious and life-threatening, yet seem to be only minor annoyances for the character. Margot gets a stroke; her left arm may be permanently paralyzed, it never changes her emotional state or even bothers her. But, again, what’s the point of presenting life-threatening ailments if it’s not going to change the characters or make them evolve in any way? Most of the character development is facile and predictable anyways, so it’s not like Lembeck and screenwriter Donald Martin could’ve infused some emotional weight to the characters and make its most dramatic scenes feel somewhat important…right?!?

Because, otherwise, you’re only watching a shell of a somewhat competent film. This isn’t going to be “the greatest film in the world,” but it could very well work under a better script. The performances from its veteran actors are quite good, most notably Loretta Devine, who is the heart and soul of the film’s quasi-emotional weight. The film’s heart falls rather flat without her because you can predict how Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, and Jane Curtin’s arc will end. Devine is the only one that truly seems to care about which film she is in, with the other actresses giving decent (but not so memorable) performances. It’s disappointing to see someone like Ellen Burstyn giving only a “decent” performance when she gave one of the best acting portrayals of her career in last year’s Pieces of a Woman . Even if the material isn’t good, Burstyn & Caan manage to make their chemistry feel convincing, mostly thanks to Caan’s on-screen charm, which has never been lost in the plethora of films he has been in.

On the other hand, Burstyn seems to be mildly interested in the film’s material, probably because it’s been done time and again through other direct-to-VOD pictures and Hallmark-like productions. If you’ve seen multiple Hallmark Christmas films, you can barely differentiate them from one movie to the next since they recycle the same storylines, year after year, with different characters and settings to give audience members the illusion that they’re not the same movies. Yet, with such inept screenwriting that follows a safe three-act structure with the same emotional beats, without fail, it’s hard to get invested in a movie that deems itself “different” but recycles the safest three-act story possible you’ve seen in a plethora of predictable comedies.

Queen Bees is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill, predictable comedy directed with no personality and soul, in the vein of more recent tenures in “young at heart” comedies with Poms , Book Club, or March’s Senior Moment starring William Shatner. Seniors may enjoy Queen Bees’ assembled cast of A-list acting veterans. Still, audiences looking for a newly released film with an original script that tries to do something different from what they’ve seen before shouldn’t watch this movie. Unfortunately, it plays it too safe for more alert audiences to have a good time, and those audiences are better off seeing In The Heights this weekend for something truly spectacular.

Share this:

Loading…

Christopher Lloyd Comedy Ellen Burstyn james caan michael lembeck movie review queen bees

Written by Maxance Vincent

Maxance Vincent is a freelance film and TV critic, and a recent graduate of a BFA in Film Studies at the Université de Montréal. He is currently finishing a specialization in Video Game Studies, focusing on the psychological effects regarding the critical discourse on violent video games.

Interview: The Legend Martin Sheen Talks Acting Opportunities and ’12 Mighty Orphans’

‘Loki’ Cast and Showrunners Share Thoughts on New Series

© 2020 Awards Radar | All rights reserved.

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Privacy policy.

To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

Add to Collection

Public collection title

Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.

Always Be On Our Radar

Subscribe now to be added to our newsletter and to automatically be entered for upcoming drawings!

Don't worry, we don't spam

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Challengers Link to Challengers
• Abigail Link to Abigail
• Arcadian Link to Arcadian

New TV Tonight

• The Jinx: Season 2
• Knuckles: Season 1
• The Big Door Prize: Season 2
• Them: Season 2
• Velma: Season 2
• Secrets of the Octopus: Season 1
• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story: Season 1
• We're Here: Season 4

Most Popular TV on RT

• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Fallout: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• The Sympathizer: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• Sugar: Season 1
• Palm Royale: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Baby Reindeer Link to Baby Reindeer
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

DC Animated Movies In Order: How to Watch 54 Original and Universe Films

The Best TV Seasons Certified Fresh at 100%

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

‘Seen on Screen’ Podcast: A Celebration of Universal Stories 

Watch An Exclusive Pixar Studio Tour, Plus Inside Out 2 Secrets From The Set

• Trending on RT
• Challengers
• Play Movie Trivia

Queen Bee Reviews

The acting is not absolutely bad, but weak, very weak, including Joan Crawford’s... Not only is the mise- en-scene clumsy but also, because of its solemn awkwardness, it curbs the timid impulses of the script [and] dulls the rare clever details.

Full Review | May 9, 2022

A vintage item for the Joan Crawford Fan Club, but a bit of an ordeal for non-members like me. She appears as the self-adoring psychotic empress of a wealthy tribe of moderns.

Full Review | Oct 30, 2019

About as much fun as being stung by a bee.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Jul 1, 2010

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Sep 21, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 22, 2003

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Common sense media reviewers.

Naughty-to-nice challenge has mixed messages.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

The series presents some positive values as it enc

Some catty arguing and yelling. Some cast members

Some references to being "sexy." One con

Language includes words like "bitch," &q

Potential for cigarette and alcohol consumption.

Parents need to know that this reality series attempts to make over young women (ages 18-20) who are known for their spoiled "mean girl" behavior. While the overall values presented in the show -- including the benefits of being a good person and looking within yourself to build self esteem -- are positive,…

Positive Messages

The series presents some positive values as it encourages the girls to change their ways, but it waters the messages down by offering a cash prize as an incentive for altering negative behavior. The women are from various racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Violence & Scariness

Some catty arguing and yelling. Some cast members talk about past incidents in which they hit, pushed, and fought as a way to get the upper hand.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Some references to being "sexy." One contestant lied to her boyfriend about being pregnant.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes words like "bitch," "ass," and "crap."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this reality series attempts to make over young women (ages 18-20) who are known for their spoiled "mean girl" behavior. While the overall values presented in the show -- including the benefits of being a good person and looking within yourself to build self esteem -- are positive, the fact that the girls' main incentive to change their diva-like ways is a cash prize sends conflicting messages. There's also some yelling and arguing among the cast members, some generally catty behavior, some iffy language ("bitch," "ass," "crap"), and conversations about inappropriate behavior.

Where to Watch

Community reviews.

• Parents say
• Kids say (1)

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Unbeknownst to them, seven \"mean girls\" from across the country were nominated to participate in QUEEN BEES by friends and family members who were tired of their diva-like antics. Now they have to live together in L.A. and participate in a variety of challenges (a beauty contest in front of blind judges, getting to know a group of boys with the lights turned out so that reactions are based on personality instead of looks, etc.) designed to force them to reevaluate themselves -- and hopefully change their way. To make sure the young women's transition from nasty to nice is legit, their every move is monitored. They must also work with talk show therapist Dr. Michelle (from The Tyra Banks Show ) to help explore the source of their narcissism. At the end of each week, participants are scored based on how much they've changed for the better. Whoever demonstrates the biggest, most positive transformation at the end of the series wins $25,000.

Is It Any Good?

Hosted by America's Next Top Model winner Yoanna House, Queen Bees attempts to combat the negative behavior that's often celebrated on reality television. It promotes the value of being a good person and highlights the idea that women must look within (and beyond) themselves rather than hurting others to build their self-esteem. There's a strong focus on teaching the women to see the inner beauty of both themselves and others, as well as an ongoing theme about learning what they have to offer beyond good looks and great hair. But motivating these women to change their behavior by dangling a cash prize in front them makes their soul-searching seem rather insincere. It also sends some conflicting messages about the reasons why people should do the right thing.

Most teens will be able to handle the show, but some of its iffy content makes it a bit too mature for tweens. In addition to some salty language and cattiness, the women share stories about their pasts -- including conversations about faked miscarriages, jealousy, fights, cheating with their friends' boyfriends, and other inappropriate behavior. But it's fair to say that this reality show does offer some teachable moments that just might make young women stop and evaluate their own behavior, both good and bad, a little bit more closely.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about whether reality shows can really help people improve their lives. Do you think these women will really be different when the series is over? Why are people willing to go on television and participate in normally private activities, like therapy sessions? Families can also discuss the young women's behavior. Teens: Do you recognize/relate to any of the things they do? Do you know anyone who acts like that? How do people react? What do you think motivates people to behave like this? Do you think reality shows that encourage positive values are as popular as those that promote negative ones? Why or why not?

• Premiere date : July 11, 2008
• Cast : Michelle Callahan , Yoanna House
• Network : TeenNick
• Genre : Reality TV
• TV rating : TV-PG
• Last updated : February 24, 2022

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

From G's to Gents

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Queen Bees: 8 Similar Heartfelt Films You Should Add to Your List

‘Queen Bees,’ by Michael Lembeck, is a comedic and heartfelt film about the happenings at Pinewoods Grove Senior Community, which has developed dynamics similar to that of a high school. Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn) is an independent widow who is forced to shift to the center when her house burns down. There she encounters an elderly version of the Mean Girls, who gatekeep an exclusive club of cool seniors. However, Helen’s uninhibited nature soon scores her an invite to the group, and they quickly become fast friends.

As Helen warms up to the unexpectedly exciting life in the community, she draws the attention of a romantic admirer, Dan (James Caan). The 2021 film takes us on a humorous string of events with Helen and her increasingly adventurous retirement. We’ve curated a list of movies like ‘Queen Bees,’ which gracefully capture such explorations of camaraderie, romance, and the importance of companionship later in life.

8. Finding Your Feet (2017)

Directed by Richard Loncraine, ‘Finding Your Feet’ is a heartwarming comedy-drama centered around Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton), who, after discovering her husband’s infidelity , seeks refuge with her estranged free-spirited sister Bif. As Sandra navigates her newfound single life, she joins a dance class where she befriends a diverse group of individuals. She embraces the joys of dance, and unexpected friendships emerge alongside a tentative romance. The film beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, second chances, and the universal will to live uninhibitedly.

The film shares thematic similarities with ‘Queen Bees’ as both center around mature characters navigating major life transitions, finding unexpected companionship, and challenging societal expectations associated with aging. The narratives emphasize the importance of friendship, self-reinvention, and embracing new experiences in the later stages of life, creating heartwarming stories that resonate with universal themes of love, acceptance, and personal growth.

7. The Leisure Seeker (2017)

With Paolo Virzì at the helm, ‘The Leisure Seeker’ takes us on a poignant road trip with Ella (Helen Mirren) and John Spencer (Donald Sutherland), an elderly couple facing the challenges of old age and health ailments. Despite their children’s concerns, the couple embarks on a nostalgic journey in their vintage RV, The Leisure Seeker, retracing the steps of their past. The couple traverses the United States, revisiting significant landmarks and reliving cherished memories.

Their journey is a mix of laughter, love, and bittersweet moments as they confront the realities of aging and the impact of John’s memory loss on their relationship. Both ‘Queen Bees’ and ‘The Leisure Seeker’ explore themes of aging, companionship, and the resilience of the human spirit. They delve into the challenges and joys of later life, portraying characters who rebel against societal expectations and seek fulfillment on their own terms.

6. I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015)

Under the direction of Brett Haley, ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ tells a heartfelt tale that revolves around Carol Petersen (Blythe Danner), a widow facing the challenges of aging and solitude. For the first time in her life, she feels unsure of herself, feeling like she has lost everything she has ever worked towards. However, she unexpectedly begins to develop a friendship with a pool cleaner, and a charged romance with a charismatic senior, Bill (Sam Elliott).

As Carol breaks past her self-imposed norms, her experiences lead to personal growth, confronting her fears and finding comfort in companionship. If you liked the mature pondering and romantic angle in ‘Queen Bees,’ ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ will grip you with its profound exploration of the later stages of life, navigating themes of companionship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness.

5. 5 Flights Up (2014)

Directed by Richard Loncraine, ‘5 Flights Up’ is a heartwarming story following the lives of Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman) and his wife Ruth (Diane Keaton), a long-married couple facing the decision to sell their Brooklyn apartment as it lacks elevator access. In attempting to make the sale, they experience the humorous eccentricities of New York City’s real estate market, while contemplating the significance of their home’s history and the memories it holds.

As the elderly couple deals with the logistical and emotional aspects of a potential move, they also face the changing dynamics of their neighborhood and the impact of societal shifts on their lives. If ‘Queen Bees’ puts a smile on your face with its heartwarming romantic moments, ‘5 Flights Up’ will unfold a tearful and profound experience of companionship as its couple carries a lifetime of memories together. The films explore aging, meaningful relationships, and the importance of embracing change while combining plenty of humor and heart.

4. Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

A sequel to the ‘Book Club,’ ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ follows a group of four women in their 70s going to Italy for a bachelorette party. Vivian declares her engagement, and her three best friends make plans to travel to Italy to celebrate the end of her single life. The quartet engages with local eccentricities, happens upon old friends, and ignites romances. Directed by Bill Holderman, the romantic comedy will have you reminisce about the Queen Bees as the hilarious elderly friends defy preconceived notions of age and partake in wild adventures in exotic settings.

3. Our Souls at Night (2017)

Helmed by director Ritesh Batra, ‘Our Souls at Night’ is a poignant film that follows Addie Moore (Jane Fonda) and Louis Waters (Robert Redford), two widowed neighbors in a small Colorado town. Facing unbearable loneliness, Addie walks up to Louis’s door and proposes a unique arrangement: spending nights together without any expectations of a romantic relationship.

Their connection deepens as they share stories, create new experiences and find solace in their later years. For those who liked ‘Queen Bees’ for its foray into the simplistic beauty of deep later-life bonds, ‘Our Souls at Night’ will present a poignant tale about the importance of genuine connections, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of societal norms.

2. It’s Complicated (2009)

A Nancy Meyers directorial, ‘It’s Complicated’ is a delightful romantic comedy that explores infidelity, love, and second chances at later stages in life. The film centers on Jane Adler (Meryl Streep), a successful bakery owner and divorced mother of three, who finds herself in a romantic triangle with her cheating ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin) and architect Adam (Steve Martin). As Jane and Jake attend their son’s graduation, it leads to a night of unexpected passion.

Simultaneously, Jane begins to develop a connection with Adam, adding layers of complications to her already complex romantic life. The film humorously navigates the challenges of their relationships, and the dynamics of families as they find themselves involved in the entire affair. Much like Helen from ‘Queen Bees,’ Jane has a group of elderly friends which is a cause for a number of comedic scenes in the film. Both stories delve into the challenges of later-life romance, and the discovery of unexpected companionship.

1. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

With John Madden in the director’s chair, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ follows a group of British retirees seeking a fresh start in a seemingly luxurious but dilapidated hotel in Jaipur, India. Each character, played by a stellar ensemble cast, has their own reasons for embarking on this adventure. The retirees navigate the challenges of adapting to a new culture, forming unexpected connections, and rediscovering purpose in their golden years. The hotel, managed by the enthusiastic but inexperienced Sonny (Dev Patel), becomes a backdrop for the veterans’ individual journeys of self-discovery and personal growth.

Much like in ‘Queen Bees,’ the film’s protagonists are initially reluctant at the sight of their seniors’ home but soon find themselves developing deep friendships with its members and enjoying its vibrant atmosphere. Both films are highlighted by their contrasts between the highs of comedy and somber contemplative moments, delivering narratives resonating with universal themes of love, camaraderie, and adventure.

Read More:  Queen Bees: All Shooting Locations Explored

SPONSORED LINKS

• Movie Explainers
• TV Explainers
• About The Cinemaholic

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

• Top Ten Lists
• Post author: eenableadmin
• Post published: August 5, 2019
• Post category: Uncategorized

(director/writer: Ranald MacDougall ; screenwriter: b ased on the novel The Queen Bee by Edna L. Lee ; cinematographer: Charles Lang ; editor: Viola Lawrence; music: George Duning ; cast: Joan Crawford (Eva Phillips), Barry Sullivan (Avery “Beauty” Phillips), Betsy Palmer (Carol Lee Phillips), John Ireland (Judson Prentiss), Lucy Marlow (Jennifer Stewart), William Leslie (Ty McKinnon), Fay Wray (Sue McKinnon), Juanita Moore (Maid) , Linda Bennett (Trissa Phillips), Olan Soule (Dr. Pearson), (Ted Phillips); Runtime: 95; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Jerry Wald ; Columbia Pictures; 1955)

“A bout as much fun as being stung by a bee. “

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Unpleasant campy romantic drama with Joan Crawford as the evil, bitchy and manipulative Southern socialite Queen Bee, who is a charmer outwardly but inside she’s rotten to the core. After controlling all those around her, Joan’s unlikable one-dimensional character predictably gets her come-uppance. Director-writer Ranald MacDougall (“The Subterraneans”/”Go Naked in the World”/”Man on Fire”) keeps it unchallenging as a caustic potboiler and star vehicle for Joan, who is as nasty as she can be and primed to be taking down by one of those acquaintances she wronged. It’s based on the novel The Queen Bee by Edna L. Lee, and is about as much fun as being stung by a bee.

Jennifer Stewart ( Lucy Marlow ) is the pretty but poor and naive Chicago-dwelling cousin of Eva Phillips (Joan Crawford), a two-faced, vain, and manipulative domineering Atlanta housewife of wealthy mill owner Avery “Beauty” Phillips (Barry Sullivan), who invites Jen to the mansion for a visit to keep her from being lonely. At first Jen is taking in by her cousin’s charm, but changes that opinion when slapped by Eva after being gleeful about the engagement announcement of Eva’s sister-in-law Carol Lee Phillips ( Betsy Palmer) to henpecked hubby’s hard-working mill manager Judson Prentiss (John Ireland). Eva hates to lose former lover Jud and has done all she could to make sure he doesn’t marry Carol, as she feels despondent that she’s locked into a loveless marriage with Avery. Hubby has become an alcoholic and treats her with contempt, and doesn’t even relate to the couple’s two psychologically troubled children. Avery is a bitter man because he married Eva after a business trip to Chicago with Jud and jilted his nice Southern belle girlfriend Sue McKinnon ( Fay Wray ), now a zombie. The gentleman married the scheming Eva when she lied and told him she was pregnant, because he believes in old-fashioned values. Too bad he doesn’t believe in divorces!

The creaky plot, unconvincing melodramatics and less than endearing characters left me cold, as it was a tawdry film filled with cheap dramatics. The talented cast, to their credit, elevate this mawkish soap opera story to a higher level than it deserves. Joan’s unhappy real-life d aughter Christina, in her tell-all memoir, Mommy, Dearest , states that the ‘not nice’ character played by mom in Queen Bee was not that different from her mom’s behavior at home.

Of note, those gowns by Jean Louis were knockouts.

REVIEWED ON 7/2/2010 GRADE: C+

You Might Also Like

Meet the baron, before sunset.

Queen Bees (2021)

Full cast & crew.

Directed by 

Writing credits  , cast (in credits order) verified as complete  , produced by , music by , cinematography by , editing by , casting by , production design by , set decoration by , costume design by , makeup department , production management , second unit director or assistant director , art department , sound department , special effects by , visual effects by , stunts , camera and electrical department , casting department , costume and wardrobe department , editorial department , location management , music department , script and continuity department , transportation department , additional crew .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

Contribute to This Page

• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos
• User Reviews
• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, kinda funny, how the lord made bees, and the bees made money.

Now streaming on:

As a realistic portrayal of life in rural South Carolina in 1964, "The Secret Life of Bees" is dreaming. As a parable of hope and love, it is enchanting. Should it have been painful, or a parable? Parable, I think, so it will please those who loved the novel by Sue Monk Kidd . One critic has described it as sappy, syrupy, sentimental and sermonizing, and those are only the S's. The same reviewer admitted that it is also "wholesome and heartwarming," although you will never see "wholesome" used in a movie ad.

I go with heartwarming. There is such a thing as feeling superior to your emotions, but I trust mine. If I sense the beginnings of a teardrop in my eye during a movie, that is evidence more tangible than all the mighty weight of Film Theory. "The immediate experience," one of the wisest of critics called it. That's what you have to acknowledge. I watched the movie, abandoned history and plausibility, and just plain fell for it. If it had been a bad movie, it would have been ripe for vivisection. But it is not a bad movie.

Above all, it contains characters I care for, played by actors I admire. If a script doesn't get in the way, a movie like that just about has to work. Queen Latifah , who combines conviction, humor and a certain majesty, plays August Boatwright, a woman about as plausible as a fairy godmother, and so what? She lives outside town in a house painted the color of the Easter Bunny and gathers honey for a living. Famous honey, from happy bees. Living with her are her two sisters: June ( Alicia Keys ), a classical cellist and civil rights activist, and May ( Sophie Okonedo ), who you don't want to startle with anything sad.

In a shack many miles away, 14-year-old Lily Owens ( Dakota Fanning ) lives with her cruel father ( Paul Bettany ). Her best friend and defender, the black housekeeper Rosaleen ( Jennifer Hudson ), endures the wrath of the father, because she will not abandon Lily. One day Rosaleen is so bold as to attempt to register to vote and is beaten by racists in the nearby town. This results, of course, in her arrest. Lily helps her escape the town, and they set off on a journey to the town of Tiburon, which she knows about because of something she found in her late mother's possessions ... the label for a honey jar.

As Lily helps Rosaleen flee from virtual slavery, it's impossible not to think about Huck and Jim, unless political correctness has prevented you from reading that greatest of all novels about black and white in America. From what little we see of the folks in Tiburon, they're as nice as the folks in Lily's hometown were mean.

They land on August's doorstep. She takes them in, over resistance from the militant June. And there the proper story begins, involving discoveries about the past, problems in the present and hopes for the future. These are well-handled melodramatic events that would not benefit from being revealed here.

Dakota Fanning comes of age in "The Secret Life of Bees" and in the somewhat similar but less successful " Hounddog ." She's not a kid anymore. She has always been a good actress, and she is only growing deeper and better. I expect her to make the transition from child to woman with the same composure and wisdom that Jodie Foster demonstrated. Here she plays a plucky, forthright and sometimes sad and needy young teen with the breadth this role requires and a depth that transforms it.

Then observe Sophie Okonedo, the London-born, Cambridge-educated actress who has no trouble at all playing a simpleminded, deeply disturbed country girl. The English have little trouble with Southern accents. Michael Caine explained it to me once. It has to do with Appalachia being settled by working-class Brits. Her May is the heart of the film, because her own heart is so open. She has some delicate emotional transitions to traverse here and convinces us of them. Remember her in " Hotel Rwanda "?

The Alicia Keys character, June, is really too complex for a supporting role. In the workings of the story, she functions as an eye-opener for Rosaleen, who has never guessed black women could be so gifted and outspoken. The three sisters live in an idyllic household that must have taken a powerful lot of honey sales, even then, to maintain. That isn't an issue. We believe it, because Queen Latifah as August beams watchfully on all before her, and nobody can beam like Latifah. If ever there was a woman born to be christened Queen, she's the one.

I have great affection for this film because it honors a novel that many people loved for good reasons. It isn't superior, nor does it dumb it down. It sees what is good and honors it. The South was most likely not like this in 1964. That was the year the Civil Rights Act was passed, and a year before the Voting Rights Act became law. The Boatwright farm, as I said, is really a dream. But in those hard days, people needed dreams.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Monica Castillo

The Synanon Fix

Brian tallerico.

Matt Zoller Seitz

The First Omen

Tomris laffly.

Christy Lemire

Sheila O'Malley

Film credits.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some violence

114 minutes

Dakota Fanning as Lily

Paul Bettany as Owens

Jennifer Hudson as Rosaleen

Alicia Keys as June

Sophie Okonedo as May

Queen Latifah as August

Written and directed by

• Gina Prince-Bythewood

Based on the novel by

• Sue Monk Kidd

Latest blog posts

Sharp Writing, Excellent Cast Keep Spy Thriller The Veil Engaging

Take Another Trip to the End of the World with Sony’s Stellar Blade

He's Got Something Going On: David Proval on Mean Streets, and Acting for Martin Scorsese

Girl Shy and the Birth of the Romantic Comedy

Queen Bees cast ages: How old are the Queen Bees in real life?

Curious about the Queen Bees cast ages? Explore how old the talented stars are in real life, adding a fascinating dimension to the ensemble of this charming film!

By Stefani Munro | Jan 21, 2024

Just one day after its Netflix debut , Queen Bees has soared to new heights, claiming the third spot on Netflix's list of the most-watched movies in the US this week. Directed by Michael Lembeck , this hilarious "Mean Girls with pensioners" has captured the audience's attention and sparked curiosity about the talented ensemble cast that brings Pine Grove Senior Community to life.

Described as a delightful mix of lusty widows, cutthroat bridge tournaments, and high school-style mean girl antics, Queen Bees has become a must-watch for viewers of all ages. As the movie climbs the streaming giant's top 10 charts, it's unsurprising that fans are eager to uncover the ageless secrets of the cast that made it all possible!

So, who are the seasoned stars that grace the screen in Queen Bees? Join us as we unveil the ages and more about this talented cast, and their remarkable careers below. If you're curious about the ages of these actors and actresses who bring the vibrant characters of Pine Grove to life, you're in the right place!

So, without further ado , let's dive into the world of Queen Bees and discover the ageless charm of its incredible cast!

Unveiling the ages of the Queen Bees cast

For those who enjoyed the film, which initially hit theaters in 2021, the comedic drama unfolds the story of Helen, an independent widow forced into a retirement community after an unintentional kitchen fire. Within the retirement center, she encounters a trio of mean-spirited women – Janet, Sally, and Margot, known as the "Queen Bees." Now, let's dive into the fascinating world of the talented actresses who breathe life into these characters!

Ellen Burstyn as Helen Wilson

Ellen Burstyn takes on the role of Helen, the main protagonist in Queen Bees. Burstyn is a cinematic legend celebrated for her versatile and acclaimed performances in film, television, and on stage. Notable works include The Last Picture Show (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), and Requiem for a Dream (2000).

Recognized for her portrayal of complex women in dramas, Burstyn boasts an impressive collection of awards, including an Academy Award and a Tony Award.

Born on December 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, as of January 2024, Ellen Burstyn is an age-defying 91 years old!

Jane Curtin as Janet Poindexter

Jane Curtin commands the screen as Janet Poindexter, the formidable leader of the Queen Bees. Best known for her early stint as an original cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL ), Curtin earned fame as the Weekend Update anchor and for her roles, including the iconic Coneheads duo with Dan Aykroyd .

Curtin continued her success with back-to-back Emmy Awards for Kate & Allie and a memorable turn in 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Mary Albright.

Born on September 6, 1947, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jane Curtin, as of January 2024, is 76 years old!

Loretta Devine as Sally Hanson

Loretta Devine brings Sally Hanson, one of the Queen Bees, to life on the screen. Renowned for her versatile performances in both film and television, Devine earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Grey's Anatomy.

Devine's impact on the entertainment industry is evident with nine NAACP Image Awards and a record twenty-four nominations.

Born on August 21, 1949, in Houston, Texas, Loretta Devine, as of January 2024, is 74 years old!

Ann-Margret as Margot Clark

Ann-Margret takes on the role of Margot Clark, completing the trio of toxic Queen Bees. Known for her multifaceted career as an actress, singer, and dancer, Ann-Margret became a sex symbol in the '60s and starred in iconic films like Viva Las Vegas and Carnal Knowledge.

With two Academy Award nominations and an Emmy win in 2010 for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series, Ann-Margret's career spans decades and continues with recent projects like A Holiday Spectacular in 2022.

Born on April 28, 1941, in Valsjöbyn, Jämtlands län, Sweden, Ann-Margret, as of January 2024, she is 82 years old!

These remarkable ladies are living proof that age is simply a number! Catch their spectacular performances in Queen Bees , now streaming on Netflix. Don't miss out on the laughter, drama, and a delightful reminder that talent knows no age

Next. New Netflix shows and movies coming in February 2024. New Netflix shows and movies coming in February 2024. dark