HottWwjdIam There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

Clarissa Mora The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Janae Milner Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

spradley-3 I read a few of the reviews before posting this because I wanted to validate some of my thoughts during this film. Here, I'm watching it 7 years after it came out, however that affects my perspective. I like films about human interaction/interesting characters placed in unusual situations - like in 'War of the Worlds' - the best of humanity comes out when we come together in a common cause/disaster. Not knowing anything about Kabbalism except when Madonna got into it - I didn't think this movie was going to center so much on the supernatural kind of 'one with God and nature' thing. It was too much. It sounds like this was based on a book - better read the book first because this movie does not explain most of what is going on. All the actors/actresses did a great job. The tragedy of the family situation was well done and I was curious as to what the heck was going on with the mother. I did not get the subtle reasons why she needed to get into the light or whatever. I was hoping it was something more than the mystical thing the daughter ended up being into. You can predict the ending with the spelling bee but what the heck is going on after is way beyond what I could figure out. While I don't need to be spoon fed plot, the movies that just 'stop' at the end - leaving you to have lively discussions afterwards no doubt - leave me not knowing how to feel about the movie. Was it a good ending? Were the lessons learned? Doesn't seem like the Dad would change the personality/demeanor he's had for 20 years in a moment. Anyway - don't see this movie if you're looking for a satisfying, feel good movie. If you need a movie to spur conversation after - there are probably better choices but this one is OK.

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".

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.

capekodder I know a lot of people liked this but my wife and I found it depressing, confusing and very unsatisfying. Do not waste your time and money on this movie. The wife seemed to have a lot of problems but there is no explanation as to why or what she was really doing every time she disappeared. The son had a lot of anger but that is hard to figure out and why would the family seem to be clueless as to his condition. The daughter- did she develop this spelling ability all of a sudden? Why did she never smile? Maybe she was as depressed making this movie as we were while watching it. Richard Gere has no clue as to what is going on in his family yet purports to be a family guy. I don't get it