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Review in a Hurry: Dakota Fanning visits small-town Dixie in the '60s for this adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's beloved novel. And Bees should generate buzz—if not swarms of moviegoers—for being nectar-sweet without dissolving into a drippy, gooey mess.

The Bigger Picture: The true spirit of the South often eludes Hollywood filmmakers, especially in period pieces, just as that oh-so-slippery Southern accent trips up many fine actors. Bees is no exception, yet it still succeeds as an affecting ensemble piece, gently paced and gracefully told.

Haunted by the memory of her late mother, 14-year-old Lily (Fanning) decides to escape her lonely home life and abusive, alcoholic daddy (a twangy Paul Bettany). She and her caretaker Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), on the lam from racist locals, travel to a small South Carolina town and find refuge at a beekeeping farm run by the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo).

Lily forges friendships with these independent, affluent women while also learning about their honey-making biz. Along the way, she falls for a black teen (Tristan Wilds), makes peace with her mother's past and discovers the nurturing power of "the Black Madonna"—um, not a pop singer.

Speaking of...despite a cast that includes three powerhouse songsters, this isn't a musical. However, writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood can't resist a few bonding montages accompanied by '60s R&B and folksy guitar strummin'. But for the most part, she shows restraint in emotional scenes (take note, Tyler Perry) and gets solid performances from her actresses—notably Dakota, who of course cries beautifully, Latifah as queen beekeeper and earth mother and Okonedo as the overly sensitive innocent.

Y'all get ready to sniffle now.

The 180—a Second Opinion: Flee Bees if you're averse to divine secrets and deep-fried wisdom from a ya-ya sisterhood under the Southern sun.