El club de las abejas reina

It's great to see a romantic comedy involving the silver population. The story is sweet, engaging and heart warming. I certainly hope I'll be able to experience such joy as the characters have.

My Review - Queen Bees

My Rating 7/10

You wouldn't expect an Academy Award winning 6 time nominated actress like Ellen Burstyn who also has a Tony and two Primetime Emmys making her one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting " to accept a dud film script and Queen Bees is certainly no dud .

It's a funny sensitive story about 4 mature age women negotiating the trials and tribulations of the many changes of longevity that if we're lucky enough to get there we may all experience.

Todays Cinema rom com movies are mostly aimed at younger audiences so it's great to see a quality mature age romance comedy.

Set mostly at The Pinegrove Retirement Complex Ellen Burstyn as Helen Wilson a very independent widow is experiencing some problems living alone.

Helen and her daughter Laura have a strained relationship but eventually Helen and her family decide through upsetting circumstances that their spirited and strong willed mother and much loved Grandmother to Peter played delightfully by Matthew Barnes can no longer live alone .

Helen reluctantly agrees move temporarily into Pinegrove until her precious home is repaired.

Ellen Burstyn steals this film she is such an accomplished and authentic actress you believe her experiences and emotions.

Of course there are some hokey perhaps corny gags in Queen Bees this movie has heart and certainly is entertaining and worth seeing.

There's some wonderful Hollywood veterans in Queen Bees Ann Margaret as Margo still on the hunt for romance, James Caan gives a lovely performance as Dan Simpson the would be suitor of Helen. The three other Queen Bees Jane Curtain as Janet Poindexter the bitchy cranky self proclaimed leader of the bridge club , Loretta Devine as Helen's friendly Bridge partner and Marianne Muellererie as Anne make a great team.

Donald Martin has written a good script based on a story by Harrison Powell and the film is well directed by Michael Lembeck.

I thoroughly enjoyed Queen Bees and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys good acting with no gimmicks or thrills that reflects the everyday issues that confront our precious elder generation.

On the one hand, it's interesting to see a movie where the protagonists are elderly women. That's the last thing that you expect to see amid Hollywood's rampant sexism and ageism, least of all in an era when they want to churn out nothing but superhero movies. On the other hand, Michael Lembeck's "Queen Bees" is too treacly in some parts to be a completely enjoyable movie. Maybe it couldn't be anything else; would we take seriously a movie in which elderly women go around kicking ass?

If nothing else, it's tolerable for its short run. With a cast that includes Ellen Burstyn, James Caan (in his final role during his lifetime), Ann-Margret, Jane Curtin and Christopher Lloyd, we can say that the movie stars the possessed girl's mom, Sonny Corleone, Tommy's mom, Prymaat Conehead and Doc Brown/Judge Doom/Uncle Fester.

With a powerhouse cast, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It fills all the criteria for a light romantic comedy. It's a heartwarming ride. Favourite leads Ellen Burstyn, Ann Margaret, Jane Curtin, James Caan and Loretta Devine all have their moments. While reality for many seniors homes may not be portrayed, this is a movie about the possibilities of life in those senior years. The supporting cast is fabulous! Christopher Lloyd, Alex Mapa and French Stewart offer much of the comedy and fun. If you want a light romp with strong performances and a group of seniors that range from independent to frisky to nasty, then Queen Bees will fill that need.

Super cute movie, while not realistic when it comes to senior care homes, wish it was but, (that's what movies are supposed to do, give us hope). All the main characters both men and women were Hilarious and I love Burstyn's attitude toward life and people (cause I'm the same way, I don't own a Welcome Mat, but I have a sign on my door that says, "Be Nice or LEAVE!!") I refuse to suffer FOOLS and love that about Burstyn's character. Jane Curtin is a wonderful kind of NASTY GIRL, and Loretta Devine and Ann Margaret were just Lovely. Caan and Lloyd were both just Charming. Fun movie, worth a watch. We should be so lucky to be in that good of shape in our mid and late 80's. ;o.