Parents' Guide to

Bee Season

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Spelling bees and family drama; not for kids.

Movie PG-13 2005 104 minutes
Bee Season Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all

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

What's the Story?

Based on Maya Goldberg's 2000 novel, BEE SEASON focuses on the Naumanns, a well-meaning, intellectual, dysfunctional family. The Naumann's dysfunctions provide a ground for exploring the relationship between language and experience, or, put another way, the dire consequences of literalizing desire. Dad Saul (Richard Gere) is a Kabbalist professor who puts his energies into sixth grade spelling prodigy Eliza (Flora Cross) and convinces himself that she might become "someone who can really connect to God." Saul neglects his son Aaron (Max Minghella), who looks elsewhere for "meaning" and finds it in Hari Krishna devotee Chali (Kate Bosworth). The most tragic Naumann is mom Miriam (Juliette Binoche), who harbors a past trauma. She too feels neglected by Saul and falls increasingly into a form of literalization that has, apparently, plagued her for years. Her visions reveal the fragmented way by which she sees the world, what the camera shows through the kaleidoscope she gives Eliza. Slowly, she comes undone, frightening her children.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

Suffused with loss and longing, Bee Season is often, in single scenes, delicate and moving. This makes its lapses into inelegance almost more intriguing as they clash with the brief close-ups of Eliza's shallow breaths and closed eyes as she goes into trances during spelling bee competitions. Yet the movie depends too much on contrivances, stereotypes, and very slow-on-the-uptake parents and partners. All of which leaves you feeling a step ahead of the narrative, not an ideal position when contemplating spiritual "truths."

As Eliza wins trophies and accolades, she also comes to understand -- and forgive -- her parents' flaws. The movie's themes and images are evocative and sometimes cryptic, raising spiritual and emotional questions, but it tangles up the theme of literalism with plot in ways that are sometimes clunkier than they are poignant or shrewd.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the increasing distances among the family members. How might Saul pay closer attention to Miriam's needs, even as he pursues his own desire for a profound spiritual experience? How do the various searches for spiritual "connection" parallel one another?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

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.

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.

See how we rate